Mark Earley Jr., a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, said that expanding the School Resource Officer (SRO) program will enhance student safety and improve police-community relations. The statement was made on X.
“I’ve advocated for a School Resource Officer in every school in VA & carried legislation to move us toward that goal,” said Earley Jr., member of the Virginia House of Delegates as the representative of Virginia’s 73rd district. “There’s nothing more precious than our children, and we protect what’s precious to us. SROs not only strengthen school safety, but also build trust between our kids & law enforcement.”
In 2024, Virginia lawmakers introduced several measures to increase the presence of SROs in public schools. According to BillTrack50, House Bill 2297 proposed requiring school boards to apply for state grants to fund SROs or explain their decision not to. As reported by the Virginia Legislative Information System, the state budget included $27.2 million annually for SRO Incentive Grants, indicating bipartisan support for strengthening school safety through law enforcement partnerships.
As of 2024, Virginia has approximately 1,128 full- and part-time SROs assigned to public schools across the state. According to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, these officers are certified by law enforcement agencies and operate under formal agreements that define their roles in ensuring campus safety and assisting school staff. Deployment levels vary based on local funding and policy decisions.
Research on SROs shows mixed outcomes regarding school safety and student well-being. A RAND Corporation study indicates that while SROs may reduce certain violent incidents and improve emergency response times, they are also linked to increased student arrests, particularly among minority youth. These findings have fueled national debates about balancing security with supportive educational environments.
Earley is a Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 73rd District since 2024. According to his campaign website and the Virginia General Assembly, he is a small business owner and attorney with a background in public service. His legislative priorities include strengthening K–12 education, supporting law enforcement, and advancing fiscally conservative policies.