March 4, 2021

Bolinsky Stands with School Resource Officers

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NEWTOWN- During a public hearing in the Education Committee, State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) strongly reiterated his support for School Resource Officers (SRO) in schools and opposition to any legislative proposal which would lead to the elimination of this very successful program, particularly in Newtown public schools.

The legislation, HB-6535, An Act Concerning Issues Related to School Security, has a provision in the language that would convene a working group to examine the employment and role of school resource officers in public schools.

Over the last year, there has been a coordinated effort to kick SROs out of our schools, potentially compromising our children’s safety. One 2020 effort saw U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy proposing federal legislation to eliminate School Resource Officers (SRO) and funding for the program in schools across the country.

Another was proposed by Connecticut Senator Gary Winfield in this 2021 state legislative session. SB-447 directly calls for the phase-out SROs in our state’s public schools. That bill led to the Education Committee’s consideration of the task force to which HB-6535 refers.

Rep. Bolinsky, as a member of the Education Committee, was precluded from direct testimony on the bill. However, he took the opportunity to express his opposition to SRO elimination during public testimony, expressing that the unilateral removal of Newtown’s SROs would not be tolerated and that School Resource Officers are trusted, highly-valued members of our school community, woven into the security blanket of our schools.

“Newtown worked in a bipartisan manner with educational officials, law enforcement and parents to implement a school resource officer program in our schools and I have heard nothing but good things about the program and how the SROs have provided a positive impact on the overall school environment with a greater sense of security, that also promotes a constructive relationship and mutual respect among our students and police. If other communities question the importance of what we have built and legislated, they only need study and follow Newtown’s lead. Should this measure advance, there can be no ‘one-size fits all’ and from my perspective, hands-off!” said Rep. Bolinsky.