A school safety officer is in charge of ensuring that students, teachers, and other school personnel are kept safe. He is usually in charge of ensuring the security of the school building, grounds, and facilities, as well as the immediate vicinity of the school. His job could be at a large or small educational institution.
A person in this position is responsible for conducting daily foot patrols of the school grounds. On larger campuses, he may conduct his inspection motor vehicle or bicycle. He may be authorized to carry security tools such as pepper spray and handcuffs, and he usually wears a uniform to increase his visibility.
If a school safety officer observes a student engaging in prohibited behavior, he is typically required to reprimand the offender and report the incident to the school principal or vice principal. Bringing prohibited items onto campus, such as weapons or drugs, is a common offense. His authority typically entitles him to search students’ lockers, backpacks, and other satchels. He may also intervene in disputes that appear to be progressing from verbal to physical confrontations.
The safety officer’s job also requires them to keep an eye out for strangers on campus. He has a good understanding of the student body and can easily spot an intruder. Surveillance can be carried out in person or via a video monitor. If the person he approaches does not have written permission to be there or a school escort to accompany him, he is expected to ask them to leave and, if they refuse, to contact authorities. This usually refers to people who are inside the school building as well as those who are on or near the building’s exterior.
The school safety officer is usually also in charge of the building’s and grounds’ general physical security. He is typically responsible for inspecting fire alarms and extinguishers to ensure that they are fully functional and have current inspection certifications. If any safety hazards are discovered, such as broken glass or spilled hazardous materials, he is normally expected to correct the situation.
To succeed as a school safety officer, you must have excellent communication skills with students, teachers, and administrators. He is frequently called upon to act as a mediator, and the fact that everyone involved trusts him usually helps him resolve conflicts quickly and easily. Because he is frequently required to submit reports and summaries to school districts and boards, his written communication skills should be excellent.
A high school diploma or equivalent is usually required for this position. Before working independently, most school safety officers must first serve as an assistant to an experienced school safety officer for one year. This job usually necessitates additional training in first aid and security screening and enforcement.