With back-to-school just two weeks away, we sat down with a school resource deputy (SRD) to discuss how teamHCSO keeps students safe, what some of the challenges are, and the biggest rewards of the position.
Master Deputy Santiago has been with HCSO for almost 16 years and is a SRD at Sickles High School.
Why did you become an SRD?
I’ve always enjoyed working with students and I wanted to help change the perception of law enforcement with the youth of today. I believe interacting with them daily helps bridge that gap between our deputies and students in our community.
How do you balance your law enforcement role with your role as a mentor and counselor?
I believe the key to balancing my law enforcement role as a mentor and counselor is having patience, being transparent, and communicating expectations with the students.
What is a typical day like for you?
There is no typical day, which I love. It may differ from day to day, but one constant is assisting the administrators and staff in keeping the school safe and secure. It requires being a visual presence throughout the day, being observant to any safety concerns such as unsecured doors or suspicious people on campus. Responding to any communication of threats and assist in any mental health crisis a student is having. Speaking with parents about any concerns they have about safety or the well-being of their children.
How do you work with school administrators to develop and implement safety plans?
Every school is different when it comes to safety plans, so it requires continuous attention and, at times, we have to make alternative plans on the fly. We meet daily to talk about these concerns to brainstorm options in case one fails. Proximity control and access control is our main focus when it comes to securing our campus and keeping the students and staff safe.
How do you involve students and parents in the school safety initiatives?
I always tell our students, staff, and parents that safety is everyone’s responsibility. Communication is a key part of safety initiatives, so everyone is on the same page throughout the year, no matter what is going on. Being transparent is critical to our communication, so everyone feels comfortable about those initiatives. We are also open to new ideas or policies that can help keep our staff and students safe while at school.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a school resource deputy?
Some of the biggest challenges I face is balancing the authoritative figure as law enforcement, while trying to build trust with the students. If you aren’t approachable then the students will not feel comfortable. They also have to understand there are consequences to their actions, but I always tell them that the majority of people that law enforcement encounter are good people who make a bad decision.
Another challenge we face is having a good partnership with the parents because at times the parents do not see eye to eye with our decisions. We understand the parents want what is best for their children and so do we, which is why we try different alternatives when it comes to discipline.
My goal is for them to be successful and safe while attending Sickles High School, and it’s a team effort.