Lawrence Police & USD497

Published on April 24, 2026

The Teams: The Lawrence Kansas Police Department partners with USD497 to ensure student safety. Police officers are stationed at the two high schools, while the remaining School Resource Officers serve the middle and elementary schools as needed.

How it works: Officers engage with students by teaching personal safety classes and mentoring them on making safe choices. They adhere to the NASRO principles, which emphasize the “Triad Model” of being educators, informal counselors, and law enforcement officers. This approach focuses on proactive policing and relationship-building.

• Key pillars: Officers function as educators, mentors, and law enforcement officers, bridging gaps between youth, law enforcement, and the school community.
• Restorative justice & de-escalation: Officers prioritize restorative justice practices and de-escalation, staying separate from routine school discipline.

Why it matters: This partnership provides a proactive approach to student safety, emphasizing education and mentorship rather than punishment.

• Students gain valuable life skills in personal safety and decision-making.
• The presence of officers helps foster a safer school environment.

The outcome: Through this collaboration, risky behaviors are mitigated, creating a safer and more supportive school environment for all students.