Almond Joins Ruppersberger for Police Partnership Signing

Baltimore County Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond Monday joined Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger on Capitol Hill for the signing of an international agreement.

U.S. school resource officers (SROs) signed a training agreement between the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and the Ministry of Education and Science for the Republic of Georgia to formalize the work begun last year when a group of American SROs, including Franklin High School’s , went to the Republic of Georgia.

This agreement will significantly benefit the Georgian education system and its students by providing training to up to 1,000 new Georgian SROs.  NASRO will supply its Georgian counterparts with its modern, best practice curriculum.  NASRO is a nonprofit organization for school-based law enforcement officers, school administrators and safety professionals who work to protect students, school faculty and staff.

Councilwoman Almond stated, “It is gratifying to be here with Dutch and Don and see how far this program has come from its earliest days in Baltimore County to being an international model of excellence.  Our Police Department, our Public Schools and all of Baltimore County should feel proud today.” 

Congressman Ruppersberger and Councilwoman Vicki Almond were instrumental in starting the school resource officer program in Baltimore County 20 years ago and both continue to be strong advocates for this important program.  The Baltimore County SRO program has grown from a two officer pilot to include more than 60 officers.

Besides Councilwoman Almond and Congressman Ruppersberger, attendees included Dimitri Shashkini, Minister of Education and Science, Georgia, Zviad Khidisheli, Head of Service, Office of Resource Officers, Georgia, Barry Orton, NASRO President, and students from .