SRO School Safety & Security 3

Question 1

What is 'soft target hardening' in the context of school security?

Accepted Answer

Implementing physical security measures that make a school less vulnerable to attack without creating a prison-like atmosphere

Answer

Soft target hardening involves layered security improvements such as controlled access, ballistic glass, camera systems, and visitor management that deter attackers while maintaining a welcoming school environment.

Question 2

A student reports seeing a classmate with a firearm in their backpack. The SRO cannot immediately locate the student. What should the SRO do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Initiate a school-wide lockdown and notify the principal and dispatch immediately

Answer

A credible report of a firearm on campus requires immediate protective action — initiating lockdown protocols and notifying command staff and dispatch — because the threat is active and the armed student's location is unknown.

Question 3

Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'layered security' in school safety planning?

Accepted Answer

Implementing multiple overlapping security measures so that defeating one layer does not grant full access

Answer

Layered security creates redundancy so that a failure or breach of one measure — such as a propped door — is caught by another layer, such as a camera system or staff challenge protocol.

Question 4

During a reunification after a school emergency, what is the SRO's PRIMARY responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining order and security at the reunification site and preventing unauthorized individuals from taking students

Answer

At reunification sites, the SRO's primary role is maintaining security and access control to ensure that students are released only to verified, authorized adults and that the site itself remains safe.

Question 5

Which of the following behaviors is MOST consistent with a 'leakage' warning sign prior to targeted school violence?

Accepted Answer

A student telling a friend they plan to 'do something big' at school on a specific date

Answer

Leakage occurs when a would-be attacker intentionally or unintentionally reveals plans through statements, writings, or social media posts to peers, and it is one of the most reliable pre-attack warning behaviors identified in school shooting research.

(SRO) School Resource Officer Certification Practice Test

(SRO) School Resource Officer Certification Practice Test

SRO School Safety & Security 3