By Keith F. Lazaron II
When we think of policing, we often focus on patrol, arrests and emergency response. Somewhere along the line, though, we sometimes forget about collaboration, the true essence of community policing and what it means to be part of a close-knit community. [1] After more than two decades of law enforcement service, I thought I had seen it all. I was a patrol officer through and through — confident in my ability, seasoned by years of road experience and comfortable in the daily rhythm of traditional policing. But in 2021, life — and the profession — had something new in store for me.
In mid-2021, while working with the Manor Township Police Department in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, I was offered an assignment that would forever change my life: school resource officer (SRO) at Lenape Technical High School in Ford City, Pennsylvania. [2]
It all began on a late morning in August. I arrived with no field training or orientation packet — just a smile from the school secretary, who handed me my office keys and pointed me down the hall. “You have a computer, but you might need to talk to IT to get set up,” she added. That was it. No roadmaps, no expectations, just me in uniform, walking the halls of a high school with the same anxious energy I had felt on my first day of patrol.
Life inside the school building
At first, the change in pace was jarring. Gone were the radio calls, the crash scenes and domestic disturbances. Instead, my day was governed by bells, passing periods and lunch duty. I asked myself, “Am I locked in this building with hundreds of teenagers for seven hours daily? What could I possibly say to them? How would I relate?”
That unease did not last long. It started with a smile, a fist bump and a simple “Good morning.” Before I knew it, students were chatting with me at lunch tables and stopping me between classes to ask questions — not just about policing but about life. Slowly but surely, I saw a bond forming. There was no “us versus them” mentality. There was only “us.”
Building trust with students and staff
Community policing took on a new meaning. Under Pennsylvania’s Act 67 of 2019, SROs must complete a basic school security training program. [3] That training laid the foundation, but real growth came when I completed the National Association of School Resource Officers’ advanced and SRO Managers courses. [4] I was drawn into the educational mindset, something I had never expected to enjoy so deeply.
During my first year, I created and taught lesson plans on critical issues like bullying, vaping, sexting and impaired driving. I organized a mock DUI crash demonstration that gave students a powerful, hands-on look at the dangers of drunk driving. [5] In those moments, I was not just a police officer — I was a mentor, a counselor, a teacher and a protector.
Students began telling me they felt safe when I was around. Teachers thanked me for being so kind to the kids. One young woman once said, “Keith, why don’t you just teach here?” That compliment stuck with me. I began reflecting not only on my impact on the students but also on their impact on me. I thought I was mentoring them, but the truth is, they were mentoring me.
How the SRO role reshaped my career
Their influence pushed me in a new direction.
I am a proud graduate of Braintree High School in Massachusetts and a veteran of the U.S. Army, where I served as a military police officer. After the academy, I once declared that college was not for me. I just wanted to serve. But that “college is not for me” mindset faded away. I enrolled. I earned two associate degrees, then a bachelor’s, then a master’s, and in January 2025, I began my Doctor of Criminal Justice with a specialization in organizational leadership at National University in California.
Looking back, I owe so much to the students, administration and staff of Lenape Tech. They helped mold the person — and professional — I am today. [6] From the rolling hills of Armstrong County, these young men and women reminded me of the power of presence, empathy and consistency.
As I look to the future, I plan to invest many more years in the SRO role. Our children are not only the future, they are our present mentors, our hope and the foundation of every community. The most profound part of this journey is that now, it is me saying “thank you” to them — for cheering me up when I needed it, for helping me grow and for showing me that the badge I wear means something different in every hallway, every classroom and every shared laugh.
Tactical takeaway
The SRO role expands policing beyond enforcement, reminding officers that presence, empathy and consistency build trust and lasting impact.
If you have worked in a school setting, how did it shape your approach to law enforcement? Share below.
Police1 SRO resources
- Essential resources every school resource officer needs to safely engage students with disabilities
- 3 steps to SRO success: How to be a good cop in school
- Building student trust in school resource officers is key to preventing school violence
- This is not a retirement post: What school resource officers really do
- 5 ways a school resource officer can improve campus security
References
- Twyman S. (2022, March 31). Community policing: Reimagining public safety for the 21st century. Third Way.
- Lenape Technical School [LTS]. (2025). Education at Work.
- Pennsylvania General Assembly. (2019). Act No. 67 of 2019.
- National Association of School Resource Officers [NASRO]. (2025). Training courses.
- Panian A. (2023, April 19). A scene to promote safety: Mock accident is scheduled for April 21 at Lenape Technical School. Leader Times.
- Leader Times. (2024, March 9). Manor Township Police Dept.'s Keith Lazaron and Ashley Rensel are each cited for recently earning ranks of sergeant.
About the author
Keith F. Lazaron II is a U.S. Army military police veteran and seasoned law enforcement professional with over two decades of service. He holds an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and an Associate Degree in General Arts from Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC). A proud graduate of Norwich University, he earned his Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and completed his Master of Public Administration at Anna Maria College. Keith is currently pursuing his Doctor of Criminal Justice (DCJ) with a specialization in Organizational Leadership at National University. Originally from Braintree, Massachusetts, he has served in various roles, including Patrol Sergeant and School Resource Officer, and is deeply committed to community policing, youth mentorship and leadership development.
