The Okaloosa County School Resource Officer Unit is the Florida Association of SRO's Agency of the Year.
Okaloosa's unit received the award this week during the FASRO's Annual Conference in Daytona Beach.
FASRO President Jack Garman cited Sheriff Larry Ashley and the Okaloosa County School Board's commitment, the amount and quality of programs overseen by OCSO SROs, the push to boost safety through training and the placement of deputies with specialized skills in the schools.
“When you look at the comprehensive nature of the program, from security to counseling, it’s clear our SROs have set the bar high and I’m incredibly proud of their dedication,” Ashley said. “From tracking sexual predators to providing Christmas gifts to needy students, I believe they are a role model for the entire state.”
In addition to the presentation of the statewide award, the Okaloosa SROs presented a Leadership plaque to Supervisor Sgt. Gary Venuti, the state’s 2012 School Resource Officer of the Year. It states “Your Leadership Unlocked Our Potential."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: County school resource officer unit presented statewide Agency of the Year award