Horn Lake votes not to fund School Resource Officer request

DeSoto County SROPhoto byBob Bakken/DeSotoCountyNews.com

Costs for the SRO program at DeSoto County schools has come to light after Horn Lake Alderman voted not to fund a request to the SRO program.

The annual cost for each School Resource Officer (SRO) from the sheriff's department is over $150,000, as stated by DeSoto County. In the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, there are 30 SRO officers and three supervisors, with an average officer compensation of $67,573 per year, not including insurance, retirement, and FICA payments. This brings the total salary average to $94,147.60, which is a recurring annual expense subject to raises and benefit increases.

In addition to salary, there are extra expenses like uniforms, equipment, vehicles, and more. These additional costs total $67,926, including $39,000 for vehicles, $7,926 for equipment, $8,200 for radios, and $12,800 for vehicle equipment and decals. When you add in uniform and other equipment expenses of $6,130, the average total cost for a new SRO is $168,202.60 according to the Sheriff's Department.

Recently, Horn Lake aldermen decided not to contribute to the SRO program for five schools, with a total cost of $90,000, or $18,000 per officer. They believed that the school district was already funding the program. The request from the Board of Supervisors was for equipment expenses, specifically $15,000 per deputy, with the $90,000 covering an additional deputy at Horn Lake High School.

SROs serve as law enforcement officers, law-related counselors, and law-related educators, working closely with school administrators to enhance safety in schools.