Ralph Ackerman is the president of the Delaware School Boards Association.
In the last year, our state has been reminded brutally and frequently that schools are not immune to serious danger. Take, for example, the October incident at Smyrna Middle School, during which a 13-year-old student was arrested on felony terroristic threatening charges after allegedly vowing to “shoot up the school.” Thanks to the presence of a school resource officer from the Smyrna Police Department, the threat was identified and addressed swiftly — the student was removed and arrested, and the community averted potential tragedy.
Similarly, in March, at Calvin R. McCullough Middle School in New Castle, two 13-year-olds and a 12-year-old allegedly assaulted a fellow student — beating her head with a metal object and injuring her severely. Such incidents are not isolated nor trivial; they highlight the real harms children can inflict — or be subjected to — within school walls.
And there was the 2024 case at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes, during which a student was reportedly found carrying a loaded handgun. It was a resource officer who intervened, discovered the weapon and charged the youth without further incident — possibly preventing a far worse outcome.
Against that backdrop, the role of school resource officers and constables emerges as not optional but essential.
More than emergencies: prevention, trust and stability
Beyond reacting to crises, SROs provide everyday deterrence and a sense of security that normalizes safety as part of the learning environment. The presence of trained law enforcement tends to dissuade harmful behaviors (bullying, threats, weapon possession) before they escalate. It also reassures parents, students and school staff that there is a capable first responder nearby if something goes wrong — whether that’s violence, a threat or a mental health crisis.
Indeed, the recently launched Delaware School Safety Center — an expansion of the long-standing safety program — explicitly includes law enforcement training for SROs and constables, with an emphasis on relationship building, de-escalation and collaboration among first responders, school staff and families.
This collaborative model — combining security, preparation and human connection — is the kind of balanced approach Delaware should embrace.
Policy, funding and why the state should invest
Earlier this year, House Bill 32 was introduced, to fund SROs or constables in all Delaware public schools — an important recognition that many schools still go without this layer of protection.
Opponents have cited cost and argued for more investment in mental health services, counselors and restorative practices. That’s a fair and worthy argument — mental health support is critical. But it should not be an either-or proposition. Real safety requires a layered approach: trained personnel for emergencies, mental health and support services for prevention, and a safety culture that respects students’ dignity and rights.
If the state is serious about ensuring that every child can learn without fear — whether of violence, threats or weapons — the modest per-school cost is worth it. The alternative may be leaving children, teachers and parents vulnerable.
Addressing concerns — and why they don’t overturn the case for SROs
Critics — with valid worries — point out that SRO presence can lead to “overpolicing,” negative student discipline outcomes (especially for marginalized youth) and even accidental firearm discharges. One recent commentary in Delaware noted two such negligent discharges by officers inside schools.
These are serious objections, and they deserve a serious response. The solution is not to abandon SROs — but to reform how they operate:
With those safeguards, SROs can do what they’re meant to do: Protect and serve as resources, not as sources of fear or criminalization.
Conclusion
Delaware’s recent history — from violent assaults and gun threats to teens walking into schools with loaded firearms — shows us plainly: Schools remain vulnerable, and that vulnerability can have real, tragic consequences. SROs and constables are not silver bullets, and their presence must be matched with training, oversight and complementary mental health and support services.
But we cannot afford to dismiss them either. For the safety of our children, staff and broader communities — for the sense of security that enables learning — the investment in well-trained, properly deployed school resource officers is not just justified; it’s necessary.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
