SROs in Action: Balancing Safety, Education, and Mentorship

In this episode of “School Safety Today”, host Michelle Dawn Mooney speaks with Lt. Pamela Revels, President of NASRO and Lieutenant of the School Resource Division at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama. Drawing from 20 years of experience as an SRO, Lt. Revels highlights the vital role School Resource Officers have in creating safer schools through law enforcement, education, and mentorship. She explains how SROs are not only responsible for crisis response but also for building trust, preventing incidents, and guiding students toward better decisions, all in collaboration with school staff and the broader community. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Lt. Revels emphasizes the importance of careful selection and comprehensive training for SROs, ensuring they are prepared to meet the unique demands of school environments. 

• The SRO Triad Model positions officers as law enforcement, educators, and mentors, allowing them to build trust and intervene before issues escalate. 

• SROs play a pivotal role not just in crisis response, but in daily prevention and relationship-building, making schools safer environments for students and staff alike. 

Lt. Pamela Revels, originally from Enterprise, Alabama, has served with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office since 2004, now holding the position of Lieutenant of the School Resource Division. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration and an MBA from Columbia Southern University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Administration at Liberty University.  A recognized leader in school safety, Lt. Revels is the President of the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and has led the Alabama Association of School Resource Officers (TAASRO) for 14 years. She holds numerous instructor certifications, including RAD, ALERRT, and Taser, and serves on various local and state committees focused on school safety.  Lt. Revels is also a Subject Matter Expert for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Collaborative Reform Initiative, contributing to national curriculum development and presentations. She has been honored multiple times, including being named the We Tip National School Resource Officer of the Year twice. Her community work includes educating students on safety and running the Junior Deputy Academy to foster positive interactions between youth and law enforcement.