Bend, OR – As the start of the new school year approached, the City of Bend Police Department joined the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Bend-La Pine Schools in reminding families of the role school resource officers (SROs) play in keeping campuses safe.

The departments noted that SROs were eager to welcome students back to school and encouraged the community to work together to maintain a safe learning environment.

Officials also emphasized that while students may only see them in schools during the academic year, SROs serve as full-time law enforcement officers year-round and do not receive summers off.