“My primary responsibility is to enhance school safety, foster positive relationships between students and law enforcement, and serve as a resource for the school community,” Triway School District resource officer Jodi Kauffman said when she addressed Wooster Rotarians recently.
Becoming a school resource officer requires a sworn law-enforcement officer to complete 700 hours of basic peace officer training and an additional 40 hours of SRO training.
According to Kauffman, her key responsibilities are incident response and crime prevention.
“I am not there to arrest kids or give them a criminal charge,” she said. “I am there to mentor and support them and to give advice. I educate students on safety and being good citizens in our community.”
Kauffman also plans presentations on current issues and dangers students face such as vaping, bullying and behavioral concerns.
As a mandated reporter, Kauffman said she has an obligation to investigate reports of student safety concerns, whether on school grounds or at home.
Kauffman has served as Triway’s SRO since 2018 and has earned state and national recognition for her impact on the district. Her achievements include the following:
—Being nominated for the 2018 and 2019 Voices of Children of Wayne County Child Abuse Prevention Awards, winning in 2019.
—Pioneering the first countywide active shooting drill for first responders.
—Winning a national photo contest that awarded her an iPad and $1,000 to use for drug education initiatives.
—Being named the 2024 Legacy of Honor Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
—Receiving the Ohio Safety Center Standout Award from Gov. Mike DeWine.
—Earning the Wayne County Deputy Patrol Division and SRO Officer of the Year.
Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.
