SRO Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield SRO facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the primary purpose of establishing a unified command during a school active shooter response? → To coordinate actions among multiple agencies and prevent conflicting orders
2. Which of the following is the PRIMARY goal of a Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (BTAT) in a school setting? → To identify, assess, and manage students on a pathway to violence before an attack occurs
3. Which of the following best describes 'concealment' versus 'cover' in an active shooter scenario? → Cover stops bullets; concealment only hides you from view
4. When an SRO uses restorative language after a conflict, they should focus on: → Who was harmed, how, and what needs to happen to repair it
5. A school implements anonymous tip reporting for students to report concerning peer behavior. Research indicates this approach: → Increases the likelihood that warning signs will be identified before violence occurs
6. An SRO is directed by a principal to arrest a student for disrupting class. The SRO believes there is no probable cause for an arrest. The SRO should: → Decline to make the arrest and explain there is no legal basis for it
7. An SRO encounters a wounded victim in a hallway while pursuing the shooter. What should the officer do? → Mark the victim's location and continue toward the shooter
8. How should suspicious behavior be handled? → Report and investigate
9. Why is training important for school safety personnel? → Prepares staff for emergencies
10. During a forensic interview with a child who may have experienced abuse, the primary objective is to: → Gather accurate, uncontaminated information using open-ended, non-leading questions
11. Which information source is typically MOST valuable when gathering background on a student of concern during a threat assessment? → Interviews with teachers, coaches, counselors, and peers who know the student well
12. Research on school-based restorative justice programs most consistently shows: → Reduced disciplinary disparities for students of color
13. A parent of a student with a disability requests a copy of their child's IEP. Which law governs this right? → IDEA and FERPA together protect parental access to educational records including the IEP
14. An SRO is asked to help implement a Tier 1 restorative practice schoolwide. What does Tier 1 typically involve? → Proactive community-building circles for all students to build relationships
15. When documenting a crisis intervention involving a student with a known mental health diagnosis, an SRO should: → Record observable behaviors and statements without speculating on diagnosis
16. A student uses a VPN to bypass the school's internet filter and access blocked content. The SRO should understand that VPN use on school networks: → May violate school acceptable use policies and potentially CIPA compliance requirements
17. Why must SROs avoid conflicts of interest? → To maintain impartiality
18. What is the importance of mental health awareness in school safety? → Helps identify at-risk students
19. Why is continuing education important for SROs? → Keeps SROs current
20. Which threat category typically involves a general, non-specific statement such as 'Someone should blow up this school'? → Indirect threat
21. An SRO teaches a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) or similar prevention class. This activity fulfills which role in the SRO triad? → Educator/teacher
22. What is the proper procedure when an SRO receives information from a student confidential informant about drug activity at school? → Corroborate the tip with additional investigation before taking action
23. Which of the following best describes the 'Plus One' concept in active shooter response? → Assume there may be an additional shooter beyond the one identified
24. During a lockdown, an SRO encounters an unauthorized adult near a classroom. What is the most appropriate immediate action? → Detain and verify the identity of the unauthorized individual
25. Restorative practices in school settings primarily aim to: → Repair harm, restore relationships, and reintegrate students into the school community
26. Which is an essential component of a school safety plan? → Emergency preparedness procedures
27. An SRO receives a tip that students are vaping in school bathrooms. Which of the following is the most legally sound initial step? → Increase monitoring presence and investigate based on reasonable suspicion
28. A student runs toward the SRO screaming during an active shooter event. How should the officer handle the student? → Point toward the exit and continue advancing toward the threat
29. Which federal law primarily governs how schools must handle student records and share information with law enforcement? → FERPA
30. A student's locker is searched by school administrators without SRO involvement. Evidence is found and turned over to the SRO. This evidence is generally: → Admissible because school officials may search lockers under their authority