DALTON, Ga. ā Dalton Public Schools and the City of Dalton are proud to announce a historic milestone in their ongoing partnership to enhance school safety: for the first time in district history, every Dalton Public Schools campus will have a dedicated full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned throughout the school year.
The achievement reflects a shared commitment between Dalton Public Schools, the Dalton Police Department, and the Dalton City Council to provide safe, supportive learning environments for students and staff.
Over the past year, the Dalton Police Department successfully expanded its School Resource Officer program to ensure officer coverage across all district campuses. With staffing and operational plans now fully in place, each Dalton Public Schools campus will have a dedicated full-time SRO serving students, staff, and families throughout the school year.
"Student and staff safety remains our highest priority," said Dr. Steven Craft, superintendent of Dalton Public Schools. "This milestone represents years of planning, investment, and collaboration. We are grateful to the City of Dalton, the Mayor, City Council, and the Dalton Police Department for their unwavering commitment to protecting our schools and supporting our students."
School Resource Officers play a vital role in school communities by building positive relationships with students, supporting emergency preparedness efforts, and serving as trusted partners in maintaining secure learning environments.
"The safety of our entire community is always a priority for our City Council," said Mayor Annalee Sams. "I've felt for many years that it's important to have an officer in each of our schools, and I am pleased and proud of our city staff for all the hard work it took to bring this to fruition."
Assistant Chief Jamie Johnson of the Dalton Police Department said the expansion represents a long-standing goal for the department and the community.
"We have always worked toward having an SRO in every school," Johnson said. "The safety of our children is our number one priority. Having an SRO on campus helps students, staff, parents, and the broader community feel safe. Just as importantly, it gives students the opportunity to interact with law enforcement in a positive way each and every day, helping build relationships that can have a lasting impact."
The expanded SRO program is part of a broader, long-standing partnership between Dalton Public Schools and the City of Dalton focused on student well-being, emergency preparedness, and community collaboration.
"As a district, we know that strong schools depend on strong partnerships," Craft said. "This investment demonstrates what is possible when local leaders come together around a common goal: ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment."