“SRO Assaulted” or Poor School/Police Partnership? The Story Behind the Headlines at Smithfield-Selma High
Many media reports of this incident may be misleading. The title of many articles includes the idea that a “School Resource Officer was assaulted”—usually in the headline. But the context of the incident suggests there is much more to the story when one looks a bit more closely. Was an SRO assaulted? Maybe. But let’s look a bit closer.
On May 6, 2025, a confrontation between a student and a School Resource Officer at Smithfield-Selma High School in Johnston County, North Carolina, escalated into a physical altercation that has sparked debate about the role of law enforcement in schools. According to a variety of media reports, an 18-year-old student was being “escorted” to the office by administrators and the SRO. When he attempted to leave the office, the SRO tried to stop him, and the student allegedly struck the officer in the forehead with his elbow.
He was then subdued, arrested, and charged with felony assault on a law enforcement officer and misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
The legal process will certainly determine the outcome of the charges, but to some, the presence and role of SROs in such incidents—particularly when it involves adult students—is the real issue here.
Why Was the SRO Involved?
This incident poses a simple question: Why was a law enforcement officer involved in what appears to be a disciplinary or administrative matter? The student was 18 years old and a legal adult. Unless he was suspected of committing a crime or posing an immediate threat, his decision to leave the office should have been respected and unchallenged. There is no crime in leaving a school building.
The report does not specify what prompted school officials to “escort” the student to the office in the first place. Was he disruptive? Was there a safety concern? Without this context, the decision to involve an SRO to physically prevent him from leaving seems disproportionate. If the student had not committed a crime at that point, the SRO’s intervention may have escalated a situation that could have been resolved through administrative channels.
The Role of SROs: Support or Surveillance?
School Resource Officers are intended to serve as a bridge between law enforcement and the school community. Ideally, they provide security, build relationships with students, and respond to emergencies. However, some argue that their presence often leads to the criminalization of student behavior that should be handled by educators or counselors.
This case seems to exemplify that tension. If the student was not under arrest or being detained for a specific legal reason, then the SRO’s attempt to stop him from leaving could MOUsuggests a breakdown in the partnership. One might safely assume that if the student was being “escorted” to the office because of a serious incident or crime, the reports would say so.
A Breakdown in Partnership
The partnership between schools and police is built on mutual understanding and clearly defined roles. When those roles blur, incidents like this can and do occur. Was the SRO acting on a directive from school administrators? If so, were they aware of the legal implications of detaining an adult student without cause? If not, was the officer acting independently, and was that action justified?
These are not just procedural questions, they are questions of accountability. Schools must create partnerships with law enforcement that are grounded in transparency, training, and a shared commitment to student well-being. When those foundations are weak, the consequences can be severe, both legally and emotionally, for everyone involved.
In this case, either the administrator asked the SRO to get involved in an incident where it was not warranted, or the SRO got involved in something of his or her own accord that was beyond the scope of the SRO’s duties according to the MOU, or some combination of both. In any case, something is not right here.
The Bigger Picture: Responses and Student Rights
This incident also touches on broader concerns about how students are treated in disciplinary situations. While there is no public information suggesting racial bias in this case, the optics of an adult student being physically restrained by a police officer for trying to leave an office are troubling.
Students have rights, and those rights do not disappear at the schoolhouse gate. The right to leave a situation, especially when one is not under arrest, is fundamental. If schools and SROs are not trained to respect those boundaries, they risk violating civil liberties and eroding trust within the school community.
Moving Forward: The Role of SROs
This incident should prompt a reevaluation of the partnership between Johnston County Schools and law enforcement. Based on various media accounts and other online information, one can assume that the current MOU includes standard requirements for law enforcement involvement with students. That language essentially states that SROs are only to be involved in serious incidents that are violations of the law.
These are not abstract concerns. They are essential to creating safe, supportive, and legally sound educational environments.
While the legal system will determine whether the student is guilty of assault, the circumstances leading up to the incident deserve just as much scrutiny. Why was he escorted to the office? Why was he prevented from leaving? And most importantly, why was a law enforcement officer involved in what may have been a non-criminal matter?
Until these questions are answered, the incident will remain a troubling example of how the lines between discipline and policing can blur in schools—often to the detriment of students, staff, and the broader community.
It is the school’s responsibility to prevent SROs from getting involved in such incidents, and when they ask for involvement, the SROs need to learn to say no.
The headlines may say “SRO assaulted,” but the deeper story may be one of overreach, blurred boundaries, and a failure to protect student rights. It may more likely be about a failed or improper school/police partnership. Maybe not—but until we know why he was being escorted to the office, we will never know. And in the meantime, headlines like these will continue to mislead.
At Prowess Edge Consulting Group, we specialize in optimizing the relationships between schools and law enforcement. Our team can work with districts and agencies to develop clear, effective, and legally sound protocols. Whether you’re reviewing your current MOU or training staff, we provide the expertise and guidance needed to build partnerships rooted in trust and accountability. Contact us today to learn how we can help your school community thrive.