Beginning in the 2006-2007 school year, the Arlington Police Department and Arlington Public Schools partnered together to have a police officer act as liaison. This specially trained officer is called a School Resource Officer (SRO). It is this officer’s role to help enhance school security and provide law enforcement education and counseling. School Resource Officers act as a resource to teachers, parents, and students by providing direction or advice on law related issues.

Law Relating to School Resource Officers

A model memorandum of understanding (MOU) governing the role of school resource officers (SROs) in Massachusetts schools was released in 2018 by Attorney General Maura Healey, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. View this press release. 

Section 79 Model MOU Chapter 253

"The model memorandum of understanding shall expressly state that school resource officers shall not: (i) serve as school disciplinarians, enforcers of school regulations or in place of licensed school psychologists, psychiatrists or counselors; and (ii) use police powers to address traditional school discipline issues, including non-violent disruptive behavior."

"For the purpose of fostering a safe and healthy environment for all students through strategic and appropriate use of law enforcement resources and to achieve positive outcomes for youth and public safety, a chief of police, at the request of the superintendent and subject to appropriation, shall assign at least 1 school resource officer to serve the city, town, commonwealth charter school, regional school district or county agricultural school."

About The Current SRO

Officer White began his career as a patrol officer for the Arlington Police Department in 2012, and prior to becoming the SRO was assigned to the Homeless Outreach Program, where he worked with community partners to provide service, care, and resources for the town's homeless population. Since 2016, Officer White has also taught students at the Middlesex Sheriff's annual Youth Public Safety Academy about personal safety, health related issues, anti-bullying and team building. He has also served at the Arlington Health, Recreation and Cops (HRC) Camp since 2015, where he taught young people about Arlington's Police and Fire Departments as well as health and safety issues. Officer White is an Arlington High School alumni, and graduated in 2004. Prior to his career in law enforcement, he worked as a special education assistant teacher, student supervisor and Dean's assistant at Minuteman High School. He also served as a head coach and assistant coach for ice hockey and lacrosse at Arlington and Minuteman High Schools.

Hear from SRO Bryan White in this September 2019 ACMI youtube video below.

In January of 2020, High school senior David Gydus chose to do his ACMI project on SRO White. View David’s very cleaver project on youtube below.