Department of Education
Dr. Tim Webb, Commissioner

General Information

Law enforcement and local education agencies have a long history of partnering together for the safety of students.  Strong relationships have strengthened the ability of both agencies to prepare for and respond to criminal and/or threatening incidents that occur in school settings. School resource officer programs provide the crucial link between school districts and law enforcement agencies in their continued efforts to establish and maintain secure and safe learning environments. 

Hopefully, the information provided in this website will serve as a tool for school resource officers, administrators, teachers, parents and students.  For general questions on school resource officer programs, please contact James Vince Witty at (615) 532-4768 or by email at james.witty@tn.gov.

Recommended Employment Standards for SROs

Tenn. Code Ann. 49-6-42 provides that the Commissioner of Education working with the Commissioner of Safety recommend “employment standards for the eligibility, qualifications and training requirements for school resource officers.”  Below you will find those employment standard recommendations.  You will also find guidelines for effective partnerships between local education and law enforcement agencies.  Additionally, a contemporary definition of a school resource officer has been included.  Several sample memorandums of understanding have also been included as examples for school districts.   

Recommended Employment Standards for the Eligibility, Qualifications, and Training Requirements for School Resource Officers in Tennessee

Sample Memorandums of Understanding

School Resources Officers Defined and Employment Standards

• SROs Defined (Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-4202)
• Employment Standards for School Resource Officers (Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-4217)

Additional Web Resources

• Tennessee Sheriff’s Association
• Tennessee Police Directory
• International Police Association
• Tennessee Registered Sexual Predators
• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
• Tennessee Gang Investigation Association
• Tennessee School Resource Officer Association
• Rutherford County Gang Investigation
• National School Safety & Security Services
• National  School Resource Officer Association
• Tennessee Statues & Constitution
• School Safety Advocacy Council
• Office of the Attorney General
• Missing & Exploited Children

The resources provided on school resource officers do not necessarily reflect the policies and procedures approved by the Tennessee Department of Education.

Mike Herrmann, Executive Director
710 James Robertson Parkway
6th Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Phone: (615) 741-8466
Fax: (615) 532-6638