Special Resource Officers with Huntsville Police Department, in background, were recognized recently in a ceremony with Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Police Chief Lewis Morris and superintendent Dr. Casey Wardynski. (CONTRIBUTED)

HUNTSVILLE – The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) has named Huntsville Police Department as 2015 recipient of the Model Agency Award.

The association presents the Model Agency Award to departments that exemplify the organization’s best practices. These practices are designed to ensure professional service to the school community and creative and innovative approach to school-based policing.

Awards committee chairman Lt. Earl Roach with NASRO said the association received many worthy nominations, but Huntsville’s “tremendous accomplishments stood out to the committee. Your program is indeed a shining example of the SRO program.”

“Our school resource officers have worked to make sure this program benefits students on many levels,” Huntsville Police Chief Lewis Morris said. “First and foremost, they strive to provide a safe, learning environment, but our officers are also there to help kids when the have a problem.

“There may be a situation at home or an issue with bullying, and the students know they can go to one of our officers for help,” Morris said.

For consideration for the position of SRO, an officer must have two years’ experience at the Huntsville Police Department as a police officer, Public Information Officer Lt. Darryl Lawson said. “If vacancies exist, the position is open to all officers in the department, and anyone interested can submit their name for consideration.”

“All officers that submit their name and are qualified will receive consideration and ultimately are selected by the Chief of Police to serve as SROs,” Lawson said.

Huntsville has 19 SROs city-wide. “We’re proud their presence in the schools affords young people the opportunity to interact with police outside of their normal duties,” Morris said.

Founded in 1991, the NASRO not-for-profit organization is the world’s leader in school-based policing.

Sgt. Eddie Houk will accept the award at the NASRO School Safety Conference in Orlando, Fla. on July 7. For more information, visit nasro.org.