To arrest or to serve: school resource officers’ perceptions of zero-tolerance and the school-to-prison pipeline

Abstract

This study explores the link between zero-tolerance policies and the school-to-prison pipeline from the perspective of school resource officers. Zero-tolerance policies are disciplinary measures that exacerbate the school-to-prison pipeline by treating students like potential criminals and forcing them out of the educational system. Prior research has investigated the perspectives of students, teachers, principals, and the general public regarding school resource officers. However, there exists a research gap concerning the perceptions of school resource officers themselves regarding their role within the educational system. Semi-structured interviews were completed with a purposive sample (n = 25) of school resources officers from the Midwest. Some SROs emphasized the counselor/mentor role to provide emotional support to students, others were more inclined toward problem-solving or law enforcement and focused on rules enforcement. SROs express diverse views on the impact of zero-tolerance policies, with some acknowledging harm to students’ success and others displaying indifference or cynicism, often attributing responsibility to parents, teachers, or the students themselves.

Keywords:

• Law enforcement
• school resource officer
• school safety
• school-to-prison pipeline
• SRO
• zero-tolerance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael D. Bush

Michael D. Bush is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). University. His research interests include delinquency and juvenile justice, bullying, ethics, peacemaking, pedagogy, and issues related to media, crime, and justice. He serves on the editorial board for The Prison Journal and his work is published in the Journal of Criminal Justice Education and The Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Criminology, among other places.

Kimberly D. Dodson

Kimberly D. Dodson is a Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL). Her research interests include correctional program evaluation and justice-involved individuals with special needs. Her work is published in The Prison Journal and the Annals of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. She served as a criminal investigator for the Greene County Sheriff’s Department in Greeneville, Tennessee. She worked cases primarily involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of juveniles.