With a new school year kicking off, Mesa County’s School Resource Officers are stepping back into the halls — not just to guard the doors, but to guide the people inside them.

Safety First, but Not Safety Only

Across Mesa County, five School Resource Officers (SROs) are assigned to four schools: Redlands Middle School, Grand Mesa Middle School, Mount Garfield Middle School, and Central High School, which gets two officers.

Their official mission sounds straightforward — keep students, staff, and visitors safe. But ask Sgt. Marco Montez from the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, and you’ll get a broader picture.

“Our main function is to make sure that it’s a safe environment for the students, the staff, family, administrators and people visiting,” Montez says. That’s the baseline. The rest of the job goes well beyond what most people picture when they hear “school security.”

A Role That Requires More Than a Badge

Unlike many other law enforcement positions, being an SRO in Colorado demands a specific certification just to work in schools. It’s not a quick checkbox either — the role requires extensive training in areas that have nothing to do with patrol cars or courtrooms.

Montez explains that SROs get deep instruction in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques. “Having somebody around that has that much training and experience is very beneficial to the staff and students,” he says.

It means they’re trained to spot trouble early, calm tense situations, and prevent problems from snowballing. The work is often proactive, quietly steering conflicts away from becoming major incidents.

Bridging the Gap Between Students and Law Enforcement

For many young people, an SRO might be the first law enforcement officer they interact with on a regular basis. That makes relationship-building a critical part of the job.

Montez says the goal is to be approachable, not intimidating. “We help guide these young men and women to make better choices and to deal with some of the stressors that they deal with in, in today’s world, especially around social media.”

That could mean helping a student navigate online bullying, supporting a teen under family stress, or just being a trusted adult to talk to when things get rough.

The Daily Responsibilities

While no two days look exactly the same, the work of an SRO typically revolves around three main areas:

• Safety oversight: Monitoring school entrances, ensuring security protocols are followed, and responding to potential threats.

• Student support: Meeting with students one-on-one, offering guidance, and addressing behavioral concerns before they escalate.

• Crisis management: Leading responses during emergencies, from medical incidents to lockdown situations.

Much of this happens behind the scenes. An officer might spend one morning greeting students at the door and the afternoon in a private conversation with a struggling student.

Navigating Social Media Challenges

Social media has changed the landscape for school safety officers. Issues can now spill into the school environment without anyone stepping foot on campus.

Cyberbullying, harassment, and the rapid spread of rumors are problems SROs see frequently. Montez says the training they receive equips them to address these issues with sensitivity, while still ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.

Sometimes, that’s about enforcing rules. Other times, it’s about connecting a student with resources that can help them manage anxiety or conflict.

Why the Role Has Grown in Importance

Mesa County isn’t unique in having SROs, but the role has become more critical nationwide as schools juggle safety concerns with the need for strong community ties.

Parents want to know that their kids are physically safe at school. Administrators want a point of contact for security issues. Students want someone they can approach without fear. The SRO role sits at the intersection of those needs.

Colorado’s requirement for a separate school law enforcement certification underscores how seriously the state takes that balance. It’s recognition that patrolling a hallway is nothing like patrolling a street.

Building Trust Takes Time

Trust between students and SROs doesn’t happen automatically. It grows from consistent presence — being there in the cafeteria, at after-school events, and during the quiet moments between classes.

That’s why Montez and his colleagues spend so much time simply being visible, even when nothing urgent is happening. Those everyday interactions make it easier for students to open up when they really need help.

“Sometimes it’s just a smile in the hallway,” Montez says. “Other times it’s sitting down with a student who’s made a bad choice and helping them figure out how to do better next time.”

Looking Beyond the Badge

At their best, SROs in Mesa County are more than uniformed officers. They’re mentors, conflict mediators, and community connectors. While their job description might start with safety, the reality is much more layered — and much more human.