The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office established the School Resource Officer position in the fall of 2001. The School Resource Officer (SRO) is Deputy Dave Skadson. The SRO is assigned to the Triton and Hayfield School Districts, serving their students and families, as well as the staff, faculty and administration of each building.

The SRO serves as teacher, counselor, role model, and advocate for students, families, faculty and staff. The SRO is not the school disciplinarian, nor does he/she supplant any other staff function. The SRO brings full service, personalized policing to an important segment of our community. With a full-time presence in the schools, he/she is an easily recognized and approachable resource for students. In the classroom, the SRO presents classes on topics such as the history of law enforcement, search and seizure, constitutional rights, criminal law, and drug abuse.

The School Resource Officer's duties extend far beyond the classroom and normal workday. The officer participates in PTA and faculty meetings, club projects, student social functions and sporting events. The SRO’s presence demonstrates the officer's commitment to the students and tends to strengthen the student/police bond. This also demonstrates the Sheriff’s Office willingness to go beyond the normal tour of duty for the safety and interest of the students.

The ultimate goal of an SRO program is to maintain and improve the safety of the learning environment in our schools through the reduction and prevention of school violence and drug abuse, and to improve relations between law enforcement and students. The School Resource Officer is armed and wears either a uniform, or a soft uniform depending on his activity, but always is easily recognizable as a deputy sheriff.

While his primary focus is prevention and deterrence, the SRO conducts all criminal investigations on campus, coordinating his activities with the building administrator. Although under the direct supervision of the Sheriff’s Department, he is considered a member of the school faculty and as such, works closely with the principal and vice-principal to determine the best course of action. SRO Deputy Dave Skadson can be contacted by calling the Sheriff’s Office at 507-635-6222 ext 1369 by email at dave.skadson@co.dodge.mn.us.