The Twin Falls Police Department started the School Resource Officer Program in January of 1979, placing a sworn Police Officer at Twin FallsHigh School. Since that time, the TFPD has expanded the Resource Officer Program into the Juvenile Crime Unit (JCU) consisting of three Police Officers working as School Resource Officers (SROs) and one Staff Sergeant. In August of 2009, a fifth member of the team will be added to provide police services at Twin Falls' newest school, Canyon Ridge High School. Staff Sergeant Dan McAtee leads the JCU.
The JCU is comprised of sworn Patrol Officers who function as a cohesive unit assigned to work with juveniles within the Twin Falls School District as School Resource Officers (SROs). The SRO's primary workplace is the school to which he/she has been assigned (junior high school or high school), but the SRO is also tasked with assisting in the elementary schools when directed to do so by the JCU Staff Sergeant or the Administrative Services Captain. The SRO works closely with school administrators and staff to provide student education and counseling; enforcement of state and local laws and the rules and policies of the Twin Falls School District.
