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School Resource Officer Unit

Control Chief: Michael Assad Jr., Rochester Police Department
Assistant Control Chief: Deputy Chief Gerard LaFleur, Seekonk Police Department

SEMLEC School Resource Officer Unit

The SEMLEC School Resource Officer (SRO) Unit provides trained, experienced law enforcement professionals to support member agencies in maintaining safe, secure, and supportive school environments across southeastern Massachusetts.

When activated or consulted, the Unit delivers expertise in school safety, youth engagement, threat assessment, and crisis response.

Mission & Capabilities

  • Provide trained SROs to assist member communities with school-based safety initiatives.
  • Support threat assessment, behavioral intervention, and crisis management within school settings.
  • Assist with incident response involving students, staff, or school facilities.
  • Deliver guidance on best practices for school policing, youth engagement, and legal considerations involving juveniles.
  • Support training, outreach, and collaboration between schools, families, and law enforcement agencies.

Why the SRO Unit Matters

SEMLEC SRO Summer Camp

School environments require a specialized approach that balances safety, prevention, education, and trust. SEMLEC’s regional SRO Unit ensures member agencies-regardless of size or resources-have access to experienced officers trained in adolescent development, de-escalation, and school-specific legal frameworks. This collaborative model strengthens preparedness, consistency, and confidence across school districts and communities.

Activation & Membership

Member Chiefs may request SRO Unit support through SEMLEC’s mutual-aid and advisory framework. The Unit may be utilized for temporary deployments, consultation, training support, critical incident response, or program development. When activated, SRO personnel coordinate directly with the requesting agency, school administration, and SEMLEC leadership in accordance with established protocols.

Training & Standards

SEMLEC SRO Unit members maintain ongoing training and certification in areas including:

  • School-based policing and juvenile law
  • Threat assessment and behavioral intervention teams (BIT)
  • Crisis intervention and de-escalation
  • Trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate practices
  • Emergency operations planning and coordination with other SEMLEC specialty units

Continuous training and evaluation ensure the Unit remains operationally ready, legally sound, and aligned with best practices in school safety and youth engagement.