In a collaborative effort, the Riverside Sheriff’s Department has joined forces with the Temecula Valley Unified School District and the City of Temecula to institute the School Resource Deputy (SRD) program aimed at fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the youth within the community.

This program involves the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department deploying full-time Deputy Sheriffs to all middle schools, high schools, and even elementary schools. These SRDs serve as a uniformed presence within educational institutions, where they take incident and offense reports, conduct investigations into crimes occurring on school premises, and gather intelligence related to potential threats to school safety. Simultaneously, SRDs fulfill roles in education and counseling, engaging with students on a daily basis to provide a comprehensive range of interactions.

Additionally, both high schools and middle schools have on-site Campus Security personnel who patrol the campuses, both inside and outside. These security personnel regularly collaborate with students, staff, and the designated SRDs, collectively contributing to various methods aimed at enhancing school safety.

To ensure the effectiveness of their roles, each SRD has undergone formal School Resource Officer (SRO) training, which is sponsored by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO). They also engage in periodic refresher training, both at the local and national levels, to ensure they remain up-to-date and well-equipped to provide this vital community service.