School Resource Officer

The Department created a School Resource Officer (SRO) position in early 1996. The SRO is a uniformed police officer who works in the schools on Mercer Island and is primarily responsible for representing the MIPD at Mercer Island High School, Crest Learning Center, and Islander Middle School.
 
The officer’s purpose is to interact with the community by improving working relationships with staff and by providing students with a positive role model and personal involvement with law enforcement. SRO’s have found themselves instructing classes on such topics as search and seizure laws, laws regarding Driving Under the Influence and Minor in Possession of Alcohol, and other Law Enforcement related topics. Students take advantage of the SRO’s presence in the schools by asking questions and just getting to know a real police officer. The SRO commonly eats lunch with students or staff.
 
The SRO takes initial reports on some crimes that occur on school grounds during the school day, and acts as a liaison between the School District Security Officer and the MIPD. The SRO is assigned to the Department’s Investigations Section, and in addition to his or her duties at the schools, often conducts follow-up investigations on cases where juveniles are victims or suspects.

You may reach our SRO, Detective Foster Barragan, at foster.barragan@mercergov.org.