School Safety

Sturgis Public Schools partners with the Sturgis Department of Public Safety to have two School Resource Officers (SRO) in our district. Officers Wiard and Jimenez build relationships with SPS students and keep our buildings safe.

Standard Response Protocol (SRP) - "I Love U Guys" Foundation

Sturgis Public Schools has implemented the nationally-recognized Standard Response Protocol, providing clear, consistent actions for any emergency situation. This protocol is used by over 50,000 schools worldwide and ensures that all students, staff, and first responders use the same language and procedures.

About the "I Love U Guys" Foundation

The "I Love U Guys" Foundation was created to restore and protect the joy of youth through educational programs and positive action in collaboration with families, schools, communities, organizations and government entities. Their Standard Response Protocol and Standard Reunification Method are research-based, data-driven programs that have been refined through years of real-world application.

The Five SRP Actions:

Understanding Each Action:

HOLD - In Your Room or Area, Clear the Halls

Used when: Students need to be kept in classrooms while hallways are temporarily cleared (medical emergency, maintenance issue, or to allow safe passage).

Students: Remain in classroom or current area. Continue normal activities.

Staff: Keep students in room. Close and lock door if needed. Take attendance. Wait for all-clear announcement.

SECURE - Get Inside, Lock Outside Doors

Used when: There is a threat or hazard outside the building (police activity in neighborhood, dangerous animal on campus).

Students: Return to building if outside. Continue normal activities inside.

Staff: Bring students inside. Lock all exterior doors. Secure the perimeter. Continue teaching.

LOCKDOWN - Locks, Lights, Out of Sight

Used when: There is a threat inside the building (intruder, active threat, dangerous person on campus).

Students: Move away from doors and windows. Remain quiet. Turn off lights. Get out of sight. Wait silently for first responders or all-clear.

Staff: Lock doors immediately. Turn off lights. Move students away from sight. Account for students. Remain silent. Do not open door until given all-clear by law enforcement.

EVACUATE - To a Location

Used when: Students need to leave the building (fire, gas leak, bomb threat, structural damage).

Students: Leave belongings behind. Form a line. Remain quiet. Follow staff instructions to designated evacuation location.

Staff: Lead students to designated evacuation area. Take attendance. Account for all students. Report any missing individuals immediately.

SHELTER - For a Hazard Using Safety Strategy

Used when: There is an environmental hazard (tornado, severe weather, hazardous materials spill).

Students: Follow specific shelter instructions based on the hazard (e.g., move to interior rooms, drop and cover, evacuate to higher ground).

Staff: Direct students to appropriate shelter location. Implement specific safety strategy for the identified hazard.

Standard Reunification Method (SRM)

In the event of a significant incident requiring student evacuation, our Standard Reunification Method provides a systematic, practiced approach for safely reuniting students with their families at designated off-site locations. This protocol ensures:

• Orderly and accountable release of students
• Verification of authorized guardians before release
• Documentation of all student releases
• Clear communication with families throughout the process
• Support services for students and families during crisis

 Access Control System

Lenel Onguard

• Electronic door access management
• Controlled entry points throughout all facilities
• Individual access credentials for authorized personnel
• Real-time monitoring and logging of all access

Video Surveillance

Milestone X-Protect

• Comprehensive coverage of all campuses
• High-definition video recording
• Secure data storage and management
• Integration with access control systems

Visitor Management

Raptor Technologies Platform

• Secure check-in process for all campus visitors
• Background verification for volunteers
• ID scanning and verification
• Visitor badges and tracking
• Sex offender database screening

Emergency Management

Raptor Alert System

• Real-time emergency communication
• Coordinated response system
• Drill management and tracking
• Direct connection to first responders
• Mass notification capabilities

The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) is dedicated to providing the highest quality of training to school-based law enforcement officers to promote safer schools and safer children. NASRO is an association for school-based law enforcement officers, school administrators, and school security/safety professionals working as partners to protect students, faculty and staff, and their school community.

NASRO, the world’s leader in school-based policing, is a not-for-profit association founded in 1991 with an unrelenting commitment to school safety. Learn more about NASRO and school policing.

Our Frequently Asked Questions page provides answers to many important questions about school resource officers.

Our report, “To Protect & Educate: The School Resource Officer and the Prevention of Violence in Schools” provides valuable statistics that document the benefits of appropriately implemented school policing programs. Check out NASRO TO Protect & Educate.

NASRO has adopted Standards and Best Practices for the School Resource Officer Programs and supports the need for the standards to be used as a guide for new and existing SRO units and for the best practices to be reviewed and adopted by all law enforcement, school safety agencies and school boards, as recommended.

Read NASRO’s “Position Statement on Police Involvement in Student Discipline,” which provides important information on best practices for school policing.