El Dorado County Sheriff's Office 2019 Annual Report | Page 17

The School Resource Officer (SRO) Program continues to work alongside local school faculty, staff, students and administrators to help ensure all involved have a safe and positive place to learn and grow. The program is staffed with six full time deputies, four of which are funded through grants. This allows the Sheriff’s Office to staff a deputy at all El Dorado County high schools and one SRO to work with local middle schools as well. The Sheriff’s Office places great importance on building a strong relationship with local students in our community that is based on trust and communication.

2019 saw over 1,000 calls for service at local high schools in which the School Resource Officers handled a majority of them; taking a combined 418 reports. SROs also actively participated in several other projects and programs at local schools such as Project LEAD, Every 15 Minutes, Red Ribbon Week, backpack and school supply drives and Toys from the Trunk.

The School Resource Officers of are dedicated to reducing underage tobacco usage at local schools, with emphasis on vaping. E-cigarettes and vaping has become problematic on school campuses and the SROs have become local experts on the topic; working with school sites to conduct educational and enforcement activities for students, parents and staff. By educating

as many people as possible, the SROs hope to

convey how dangerous these vaping devices can be to young children and adults.

This year the SROs started a fun and exciting program called Kickball with a Cop. A team of deputies visit a local school on a lunch or recess break to play a game with the students. It has been a great way to have fun with local youth and engage students in a positive way. The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office will always be committed to the health and safety of local youth and the School Resource Officers will continue to work hard to solidify that commitment.

School Resource Officers

School Resource Officers

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Ride-Along Program is a great opportunity for citizens to see firsthand what Deputies do on a daily basis. It is the most transparent view of a day in the life of an El Dorado County Deputy. Community members are encouraged to utilize this program for a better understanding of all the services the Sheriff's Office offers.

It is also a great way for those seeking a career with the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office to find out exactly what is expected of them; the high standards deputies are held to and the family oriented culture here. Many of the Sheriff's Office volunteers also utilize this program for a better understanding so they may help citizens more effectively.

This year a total of 177 community members took advantage of the opportunity. Of those, 88 were potential applicants and subsequently 16 successfully completed the recruitment and background process and were hired.

73 civilians completed the Ride-Along application process and rode with the deputies on various shifts. 27 of those citizens participated as part of the Sheriff's Citizen’s Academy. El Dorado County Sheriff’s Explorer’s also gained firsthand experience and participated in 7 Ride-Alongs throughout the year. Chaplains have joined deputies on 20 ride-alongs to assist with emotionally heavy calls and workloads.

Ride-Along Program

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