PHS has a "School Resource Officer Program" that is sponsored by the Sumner County Sheriff's Department and the Sumner County Board of Education. The SRO assigned to portland high school is Deputy Scott Martin.  If You need to reach him just call the school at 325-9201 or after hours call the Sumner County Sheriff's Office at 452-2616 dial 0 talk to the dispatcher.

What is a School Resource Officer (SRO)?

     A SRO is a certified police officer who is assigned full time to a school.  For this, SRO's receive many hours of ongoing specialized training.  The concept is similar to the "cop on foot patrol" who knows the public he serves on a first name basis and is sensitive to their particular needs.

What are the resposibilities of SRO's?

• SRO's visit classrooms to make presentations of law related nature such as drug education, the role of police in society, the history of law enforcement, and other related topics.
• Working with school administrators, SRO's investigate criminal violations which involve students as victims or suspects.
• SRO's are advisors-students are encouraged to seek the personalized attention of SRO's.  Each officer is specially trained to conduct informal, individual, or group discussions.
• The involvement of SRO's extends far beyond the classroom and normal workday.  SRO's participate in parent-teacher and faculty meetings, student social and sporting events, and club projects.  The presence of SRO's tends to strengthen the student/Police bonds and shows the SRO's commitment to the students in regards to their education and safety.

What are the guidelines of the SRO program?

• SRO's coordinate their activities with Principals and staff members and seek permission, advice, and guidance before enacting any programs within the school.
• SRO's are available for conferences with studnts, parents, and faculty members to assist them with problems of a law enforcement or crime prevention nature.

For more information about the SRO program, you may contact:

1. Sumner County Board of Education---451-5200
2. Sumner County Sheriff's Department---452-2616
3. Sumner County Sheriff's Department Director of School Safety-452-2616 or 451-5284
4. Sumner County Board of Education, Pat Connor, Drug Free and Safe Schools Coordinator---451-5200