about us...SRO

School communities are microcosms of society that experience issues that are similar to the larger communities in which they exist. While the School Resource Officer's (SRO) primary responsibility is providing a safe environment for all students and staff, other responsibilities include providing law-related instruction and non-academic counseling to students.

The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) employs a method referred to as Triad. In this method, the SRO fills three roles in the school: police officer, teacher, and counselor. As a police officer, the SRO deals with juvenile crime as it occurs in the school and helps find ways to deter future crimes from occuring. As a teacher, the SRO educates students on law-related topics such as drug and alcohol awareness, specifics of juvenile law and juvenile justice, and awareness of the legal system in general. As a counselor, the SRO works not only with students, but parents and staff members as well, providing legal counseling in reference to problems they may be facing in the school or community.

Working together with the administration and staff at Lansdowne High School, the SRO provides a safer environment in which students can learn and excel, academically and personally. Once students leave LHS, they are prepared to be capable, responsible residents of Baltimore County.

BIO:

Ofc. Matthew A. Kohel

SRO Kohel has been a Baltimore County Police Officer for just over 7 years. He started his career in patrol, working the Catonsville area of Baltimore County. In May of 2002, he was assigned to work the midnight shift in the area surrounding Lansdowne High School and was deemed a perfect fit when the position of SRO at Lansdowne High School became available. Since August of 2005, Officer Kohel has enjoyed working with Lansdowne High School students and staff. Officer Kohel can be found in the hallways, classrooms, and almost anywhere you can imagine at Lansdowne High School to create a safe learning environment for all students.

Please feel free to email Ofc. Kohel if you have any concerns at MKohel@bcps.org.

Ofc. Gregory Quinn

Officer Quinn has been a Baltimore County Police Officer since December 2003. He spent his first four years on Patrol. During that time he worked the Catonsville and Lansdowne areas. After stepping in for Ofc Kohel in the fall of 2007 Ofc Quinn found the SRO position to be one of great interest. When Ofc Kohel returned Ofc Quinn went to Catonsville High and spent a year and a half there. Ofc Quinn returned to Lansdowne High when the second position opened and can now be found around the campus working with Ofc Kohel, staff and students.