Building Safer Schools: Why Relationships and Roles Matter More Than Metal Detectors
School safety is a pressing issue, with billions of dollars invested annually in measures designed to protect students and staff. While significant progress has been made through what I like to call hard products such as security cameras, access control systems, and metal detectors, these tools alone are not enough to create truly safe schools. Research demonstrates that what I refer to as soft products (training, consulting, relationship-building, etc.) are equally, if not more, effective in addressing the human-centered problems of school safety. Here, I will explore some data and evidence supporting soft products as an equally important component of a comprehensive school safety strategy.
Hard products are, unquestionably, the backbone of school security. They take the first hardline position of defending schools from the evil that sometimes lurks outside. They provide immediate response to threats and control access to buildings. They can and often do detect and/or identify immediate threats to the safety of our schools and children. Various physical products can provide a measure of defense from armed intruders if needed. I also include the campus-based, trained, on-duty SRO/SRD, and armed security personnel as a hard “product.” Whether or not these individuals have engaged in any interactions or “relationship building” with students and other school personnel, they are on site and ready to do battle in the event of an emergency.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 92% of public schools now use security cameras, and over 70% control building access during school hours. These measures are, however, primarily reactive, focusing on identifying and managing threats after they arise. They can sometimes provide a measure of deterrence; however, they are non-human measures and do not address the root causes of unsafe behaviors or the relational dynamics within schools that can lead to crises.
Soft products are human measures of a proactive nature and target underlying issues such as mental health, school climate and weak relationships between staff and students, and ineffective collaboration with law enforcement. These interventions emphasize prevention and long-term impact, as shown by a 2020 U.S. Secret Service study. The study revealed that many school shootings could have been prevented with better communication, training, and understanding of warning signs.
Research by Johns Hopkins University further highlights the role of school climate in safety outcomes. Schools with higher teacher morale and trust in administrators report fewer disciplinary issues and a stronger sense of security. These findings underscore the importance of creating environments where students feel valued and heard. While it is not possible to predict major disruptive events such as school shootings, fights, and assaults on school staff, addressing underlying contributing factors to school violence is equally as important as hard products.
Clearly defined roles and strong relationships between school staff and law enforcement are incredibly important for effective school safety. Ambiguity in responsibilities can lead to miscommunication and delays in responding to serious incidents and place students and staff in even more danger. A report by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) emphasizes the need for training and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to clarify the roles of School Resource Officers (SROs). These measures help reduce conflicts, improve trust, and ensure a coordinated response to crises.
Additionally, The Southern Poverty Law Center’s report “Only Young Once” examines how the involvement of law enforcement in schools, coupled with certain disciplinary policies, can result in higher suspension, expulsion, and arrest rates among students of color. This provides insights into how poor school-police relations and the presence of law enforcement in educational settings with misaligned objectives can contribute to increased student arrests and subsequent policy changes.
Establishing clear roles and fostering positive relationships between School Resource Officers (SROs) and school communities are crucial for enhancing school safety and reducing the likelihood of major incidents. When SROs function as integrated members of the educational environment by serving as educators, informal counselors, as well as law enforcement officers, they contribute to a more secure and supportive atmosphere. A study by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) emphasizes that well-defined roles and collaborative relationships enable SROs to effectively identify and address potential threats, mediate conflicts, and support students in crisis. This proactive engagement not only deters criminal activities but also creates trust among students and staff, creating an environment where individuals feel safe to share concerns before they escalate into serious incidents.
Furthermore, research indicates that the presence of SROs can positively impact perceptions of school safety among students, teachers, and administrators. For instance, a study found that most high school students felt that SROs help keep their school safe.
SRO presence alone does not automatically mean that students feel safer, and their school experiences are more positive. In fact, some research shows the opposite. For example, a survey of middle school students about their perceptions of SROs found that while students may feel safer, there can be unintended consequences if roles are not clearly defined and if SROs are not properly integrated into the school community. This would clearly indicate that role definition is a key component to a well-rounded SRO program. Therefore, clearly defining the roles of SROs and developing positive relationships within the school community are important steps toward creating a safer and more supportive educational environment.
High-profile school crises often reveal lapses in communication, unclear roles, and failures in training as root causes. For example, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has documented numerous cases where these factors contributed to preventable tragedies. Addressing smaller issues, such as developing positive relationships with SROs and implementing restorative practices, can prevent larger incidents by building trust, improving conflict resolution, and identifying early warning signs.
Despite their proven effectiveness, soft products remain underutilized in many schools. A 2022 survey by the School Safety Advocacy Council found that nearly 80% of school leaders view training and consulting as essential but often overlooked tools for improving safety. Programs that focus on accountability, clear communication, and collaboration are increasingly recognized as vital components of a robust school safety plan.
Investing in soft products is not just a complement to hard security measures, it is a necessity. Mental health resources, training, professional development, collaboration, relationship-building, and clear role definitions can address the root causes of unsafe behaviors, creating environments where students and staff feel supported and secure. By integrating these solutions into their safety strategies, schools can move beyond reactionary measures and foster truly safe and thriving communities.
The data is clear: soft products are an element in preventing tragedies and ensuring the long-term safety of schools that is equally as important as harder safety approaches.