The School Resource Officer program (SRO) is a nationally accepted program involving the placement of a law enforcement officer within the educational environment. The primary focus of the SRO program is education and prevention, providing valuable insight for parents, students and educators on important community issues such as crime and substance abuse. The program, a collaboration between the Methacton School District and Lower Providence Township, enables a safe learning environment for students while improving the relationships between law enforcement personnel and youth.
In September 2006, Lower Providence Township Police Officer Mark A. Stead assumed the position of School Resource Officer partially through a three-year grant administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency. Based out of Arcola Intermediate School, Officer Stead provided services to all the public schools within Lower Providence Township. Beginning in February of 2011, Officer Stead was assigned to Methacton High School. Based on a petition that was filed by the Methacton School District, the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County issued an Order authorizing Officer Stead as a School Police Officer under the Public School Code.
The program enables the school administration and staff, in conjunction with the SRO and the Pennsylvania State Police – Skippack, to provide a safe learning environment for students while improving the relationships between law enforcement personnel and youth. The Pennsylvania State Police continue to respond to all emergency calls during the times when Officer Stead is not on duty. However, property crimes and other non-emergency calls are referred to Officer Stead for investigation and prosecution when he reports for duty.
The basic duties of the School Resource Officer at Methacton High School include serving as a positive role model; creating a link between law enforcement and the students; investigating incidents occurring on school property during normal school hours; acting as a liaison with the Pennsylvania State Police – Skippack on matters of mutual concern; and providing an invaluable resource for parents, staff, administration and students.
Officer Stead has been in the law enforcement profession for more than thirteen years. Before joining the Lower Providence Township Police Department as a patrolman in November 2000, Officer Stead worked for the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, Detective Bureau as an investigator. He earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Temple University and has obtained certification from the National Association of School Resource Officers. Officer Stead is married with four children and resides in the Royersford area.
Officer Stead's office is located in Methacton High School.
