Officer Josh Bronn has been on the job for one month now as Royal School District’s first-ever School Resource Officer (SRO). Originally not anticipated to begin work until January 2023, the district was thrilled to be able to bring on Officer Bronn at the beginning of November to start this important work.
Schools should be a place where all youth feel safe. The role of a school resource officer is to support a school district’s in maintaining a safe and welcoming learning environment by working closely with school administration, staff, and students across all buildings. At Royal School District, Officer Bronn serves all four school buildings and works onsite each school day. Getting to know the students and building trusting relationships with students and staff is crucial in supporting and advising youth.
Officer Bronn says that an SRO works to educate students on how they can take ownership of their mistakes, be held accountable for their actions, and choose not to make those mistakes again.
“I’m not here just to do police work, though,” says Officer Bronn. “I’m also here as a sort of informal counselor. Students can approach me with all kinds of questions and concerns – about life, careers, questions, angers and frustrations, family problems – anything.”
Growing up in the small town of Orcas Island in northwest Washington, Officer Bronn moved to Royal City to take the role of SRO after serving as a deputy sheriff. He says he enjoys serving and protecting small towns and is appreciative of the warm reception he has received from Royal’s school administration and staff.
“It’s really important to me that young people have positive experiences interacting with police officers, so when they become young adults and need to interact with law enforcement, they can have more success and navigate that better,” Officer Bronn says.
The Royal SRO office is stationed in the Royal High School Library, but students are already accustomed to seeing their new SRO out and about on campus and appearing as a guest speaker in classrooms. Students, staff, and families interested in contacting Officer Bronn are encouraged to stop by his office or contact him by calling the RHS front office.