NASRO School Safety Conference 2023

In June, COPS Office Director Hugh Clements and staff attended the 2023 National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) School Safety Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Law enforcement, school personnel, and stakeholders from around the country gathered to address the critical topics of school safety and violence prevention. The annual conference provides a unique opportunity for practitioners to share best practices that promote a positive K-12 school environment and learn from experts presenting on topics such as resilience; behavioral threat assessments; human trafficking; and active shooter response.

Executive Director Mo Canady opened the conference with awards for exceptional service by SROs across the country and beyond who saved the lives of children through their work in community schools. Many officers – both award winners and other attendees – shared stories of intervention to save troubled youth from harming themselves or others in school and thwarting tragedies.

As part of a longstanding partnership, the COPS Office participated in the conference as both an exhibitor and breakout session presenter. COPS Office booth staff spoke with hundreds of conference attendees in the exhibit hall about multimedia resources and funding opportunities, such as the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). Attendees also received printed and PDF copies of Guiding Principles for School Resource Officer Programs, a new publication developed by the COPS Office with input from stakeholders including NASRO. In addition, COPS Office staff conducted a presentation, “Federal Resources & Grant Funding to Support K-12 School Safety,” and engaged in a lively discussion about the federal application process and funding opportunities for school safety.

The COPS Office awarded FY2019 funding for NASRO Project Unite, implementing a comprehensive multidisciplinary school safety team approach to positive school climate and violence prevention. In addition, the COPS Office continues to fund NASRO basic training for all COPS Hiring Program-funded SROs, including the upcoming FY23 CHP award recipients.

For additional information about school safety and NASRO, please visit the Supporting Safe Schools page. To access An Introduction to SRO Programs, a no-cost eLearning course that provides an overview of school-based law enforcement programs and illuminates the critical need for continued SRO training, visit the COPS Training portal.

47th Annual NOBLE Summer Conference

In July, COPS Office Director Hugh Clements and staff attended the 47th Annual National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Summer Conference in Cleveland, Ohio.

At the conference, Director Clements provided remarks and COPS Office staff conducted a presentation, “Law Enforcement Responses to Mass Demonstrations: Advancing Community and Officer Safety,” which featured information from the COPS Office publication, 21st Century Protest Response: Promoting Democracy and Advancing Community and Officer Safety. The presentation panel, featuring Chief Shon Barnes of the Madison (Wisconsin) Police Department, Jennifer Zeunik, Senior Director of Safety and Justice at the National Policing Institute, and Vincent Plair, Regional Director of the Department of Justice Community Relations Service (CRS), engaged in a discussion regarding police response to mass demonstrations and best practices.

After the presentation, COPS Office booth staff spoke with conference attendees, including youth participants about pursuing careers in law enforcement and their experiences with police explorer and cadet programs. To access materials provided at the booth, visit the COPS Office Resource Center.

Written with contributions from COPS Office Social Science Analysts Elizabeth Simpson and Ebonyque Taylor.

Shanza Bukhari
Managing Editor
COPS Office

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