The School Resource Officer Zone
Safety Statement
Safety is of the utmost importance and key on Shadow Mountain High School’s campus. There are many procedures and practices in place to ensure the well-being of students and staff while on campus.
About Officer Russ Brown
Officer Russ Brown serves as a police officer with the City of Phoenix. Officer Brown has been a police officer for 25 years and began his career in 1998 as a Livestock Agent for the Arizona Department of Agriculture. He came to the Phoenix Police Department in 2007. Most recently, Officer Brown was a patrol officer and SRO in the Maryvale Estrella Precinct prior to coming to Shadow Mountain.
Officer Brown's primary role on campus is to build relationships. He seeks out every opportunity to build relationships with students, staff and parents. You will find him at most school events both on and off duty. Relationships are the foundation to his role as a SRO in our community.
Officer Brown is an immense asset to Shadow with his Law Related Education classes. His classes are informative, engaging and fun. In addition to his teaching, he assists with the prevention of behavioral issues. Overall, Officer Brown provides the necessary law enforcement and security assistance for all students and staff.
Resource Officer Frequently Asked Questions
What is a school resource officer (SRO)?
A law enforcement officer employed by a police department or agency that works in a policing assignment with one or more schools.
What are appropriate roles of school resource officers?
What evidence exists that school resource officers are valuable?
A two-year study by Canada's Carleton University found that the funds invested in an SRO program created positive social and economic value within schools in the following ways (source: National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) website):
- Prevention or minimization of school property damage, as well damage in the surrounding areas.
- Prevention of student injuries and death involving drug overdoses, violence, etc.
- Reduction in schools needing to contact 911.
- Reduction in the likelihood of students creating a criminal record.
- Increased likelihood that students will receive needed assistance from the health care and social service systems.
- An increase in the feeling of safety among students and staff.