COVINGTON, Ga. - During the week of June 5 through June 9 the Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO)School Resource Officers (SRO) successfully completed a 40-hour training course at Georgia Public Safety Training Center. This course is intended for law enforcement officers assigned

This course is intended for law enforcement officers assigned as or anticipating assignment as an SRO. Topics included the role of the SRO within the school environment, search and seizure in the school, criminal offenses, gang awareness, drug awareness, interviews and interrogations, emergency preparedness and dealing with adolescents. 

The SROs that successfully completed the training were:

- Deputy Priscilla Tyree

- Deputy Johnny Robinson

- Deputy Milton Hightower

- Deputy Mandy Peters

- Deputy Latavia Washington

- Deputy Freda Holloway

- Deputy Kim Etheridge

- Deputy Jeremy Vieira

- Deputy Sherri Collier

- Deputy Dana Maddox

NCSO implemented the School Resource Unit in cooperation with the Newton County School System (NCSS).  The program involves the assignment of law enforcement officers to the public middle and high schools as SROs.  The School Resource Unit is intended to ensure that no student's right to receive an education is hindered by violence or disruption.

Each deputy is involved in a variety of functions aimed at prevention. In addition to being an active high profile deputy, he/she is also a resource for students, parents, teachers and administration regarding law issues.  Another duty for the deputy is being a link to other service agencies that provide preventive and counseling services within the school district.  Working hand-in-hand with the principal in each school and school board, the deputy assists with finding solutions to problems afflicting today's school age children.