(KIWA Staff Photo)Sioux Center, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Sioux County School Resource Officers recently sat down to discuss their work in local schools and how they keep kids safe.
As students return this week, SROs say their first priority is getting to know new faces and continuing to educate families about safety both in and outside of school. Sioux Center Schools Resource Officer Kyle Munneke says students’ comfort level with SROs has changed dramatically since he started.
Munneke says those relationships often continue after graduation.
Deescalation remains a major part of school safety. SRO Jessica Dorhout says the goal is to work closely with school staff and reassure students during tense moments.
Munneke says effective deescalation means meeting people where they are.
Munneke says school safety has transitioned over the past two decades from a primarily school-managed responsibility to a more collaborative effort with law enforcement.
Across Sioux County, more kids are using scooters to get to school or spend time with friends. SROs encourage parents to talk with their children about safe scooter use, set clear rules, and reinforce them consistently.
