The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office placed its first School Resource Officers (SROs) in Frederick County Public Middle Schools on May 1, 2000.  A United States Department of Justice Cops in Schools Grant was obtained to jump start the program. This grant enabled the Sheriff’s Office to hire 11 additional Deputies. The inaugural unit was supervised by a Sergeant with eight Deputies and two Corporals assigned to all ten Frederick County Middle Schools.  In 2005, the Sheriff’s Office SRO Program was recognized as a Model Program by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO). In 2016, the SRO Program Supervisor was honored with a National School Safety Award from the School Safety Advocacy Council.

After more than 20 years of operation, the program has adapted throughout the years. Based on program review, evaluation, and community input, our focus moved to high school populations. Currently, the program is structured with Deputies assigned to ten Frederick County Public High Schools.  With the high school as a base, Sheriff’s Office SROs provide service and a roving presence to the feeder middle and elementary schools outside of areas covered by municipal police departments. The Frederick City Police Department provides School Resource Officers that work with feeder schools located within the municipal boundaries of the city of Frederick.  

 
With the Maryland Safe to Learn Act signed into law by Governor Hogan in April of 2018, more changes are anticipated for School Resource Officer programs across the state. The long and successful history of the Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer program ensures that it will be prepared for future challenges.