PRO

The Prevention Resource Officer (PRO) program was first implemented at Hurricane High School in Hurricane WV. In 1998 the COPS office announced a new drive to produce funds for communities to hire officers to fight crime in schools. Now, there are a few more sources of funding available, because of the impact that this program has created on communities, school systems, teachers, parents and especially students. PRO’s are trained extensively, prior to entering a school system by a 40 hour training in “Child Advocacy, Increasing your Causative Powers, Implementation of the Program, Juvenile Crime and Statistics, Classroom Lesson Planning” and followed up by an additional 16 hours the following week on “Conflict Resolution”. This training is conducted annually prior to the start of school.

As of 2005-2006, the Department funds 20 counties through out West Virginia.

Ritchie County Sheriff’s Office PRO duties:

  • Teach Classes: “Criminal/Traffic Laws”, “Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Abuse”, “Careers in Law enforcement”, “Computers”, “Juvenile Law”, “ATV Safety”, “Bullying Prevention”, “Graduated Drivers License”, “4th Amendment”, “Accident/Crime Scene Drawing”, “Legal Terminology”, “Gun Control”, “Conflict Resolution”.
  • Patrol School Building and Grounds
  • Conflict Resolution Instructor
  • Peer Mediator
  • Volunteer Coach
  • Attend after school sporting events
  • Annually update school crisis plan and security plan
  • Mountaineer Challenge Academy student mentor
  • Chaperone School Functions: Field Trips, Dances, Homecoming, and Prom
  • Present the Ritchie County Deputy Sheriff Assoc. Scholarships
  • Attend parent / teacher conferences
  • Assist with writing grants for the School: PRO Officer, Jr. Police Academy and Security Updated Equipment  (Over $50,000)
  • Obtained donated equipment for sports teams in the high school: Wheelchair and 5 – Electronic Muscle Stimulators (Over $1,000)
  • Conduct Staff Development Class
  • Investigate Criminal and Traffic Laws
  • Set up Security for Graduation
  • Set up and lead the Senior Parade
  • Involved in the “Ride-A-Long” program with the sheriff’s office and drivers ed.
  • Sheriff’s Office Training Officer: conducts school response drills with police
  • Mentor Senior Projects
  • Counsel with students
  • Safety pup presenter
  • Brought the first in the state “Drug detection program for parents with concerns” called “Parent-Aid”

For all emergencies dial 911