Mission and Objectives

Jacksonville Beach Police Department started its SRO program in 1994. The intent of the SRO program is to use the positive experiences students have with this police officer to help bridge the gap between them and the law enforcement community and to help prevent juvenile crime.

Officer Coppola is at Fletcher Middle School from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, during the school year. His office phone number is (904) 247-5929 ext.139.

The SRO position serves three major functions:

Law Enforcement

This is the SRO's primary responsibility. This includes:

• Deterring trespassing and other criminal activity through high visibility
• Developing campus security plans
• Serving as a resource for the principal and other staff
• Conducting criminal investigations
• Assisting other officers in conducting investigations when necessary
• Taking enforcement action

Education

The SRO teaches classes on:

• Law-related topics
• D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
• Crime prevention

Counseling

The SRO deals with youth on a pre-delinquent basis. They accomplish this by:

• Working closely with school officials and teachers to identify at-risk students
• Providing short term counseling for students
• Referring students in need to the appropriate community or school-based resource
• Serving as a resource person who has the lawful authority to intercede when a youth is at-risk for suicide
• Serving as a responsible adult concerned for the students' well-being