ASPEN, CO (July 29, 2024) - Members of the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office and the Aspen School District’s Safety Team attended the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) convention, engaging in discussions on school safety best practices with professionals from across the country. The delegation returns to the 2024-2025 school year equipped with new evidence-based strategies to enhance the district’s school safety program.
NASRO, a nonprofit organization founded in 1991, is the global leader in school-based policing. It provides resources for school law enforcement officers, administrators, and security professionals. The annual NASRO conference attracts thousands of School Resource Officers (SROs) and school safety leaders to address contemporary threats facing schools and students.
In recent years, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office has focused on strengthening collaboration with the Aspen School District to bolster school safety protocols. Their initiatives include security upgrades, improved partnerships with local first responders and law enforcement, and the continued implementation of Standard Response Protocols (SRPs), which provide a unified approach and common language for emergency responses.
Among the speakers at the conference was Dr. Bernie James, a professor of law at Pepperdine University. Dr. James, an authority on education law and a contributing editor to NASRO’s Journal of School Safety, emphasized the critical role of intervention by educators and SROs. He stressed the importance of comprehensive safety programs to address the high consequences of potential school violence. The ASD Safety Team, along with other attendees from the Roaring Fork Valley, benefited from an exclusive Q&A session with Dr. James. Oliver, co-chair of the ASD Safety Team, highlighted the significance of Behavioral Threat Assessments (BTAs), which involve mental health professionals, law enforcement, and school staff in evaluating threats and concerning behaviors.
BTAs are conducted when a student poses a threat of violence or exhibits concerning behavior, focusing on understanding the situation to mitigate safety concerns and support the student. These assessments are integral to a comprehensive, evidence-based school safety plan, which should encompass mental health support, suicide risk assessment, online safety education, prevention of sextortion and human trafficking, substance misuse prevention, bullying prevention, and campus security.
“Experts in school safety provided us with valuable insights into the strengths of our program and offered strategies for further enhancement,” said Pitkin County Sheriff Michael Buglione. “It is essential to equip students and staff with situational awareness, quick thinking, and the ability to take action during emergencies when traditional lockdown procedures may not be feasible. Implementing ‘Stop and Think’ drills, where students take a moment to plan their actions during emergencies, is particularly important during transition times and lunch periods.”
For more information on the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), click here.
Media contact:
Michael Buglione, Pitkin County Sheriff michael.buglione@pitkinsheriff.com