Baltimore Resource Officer Observes Constant Changes Through The Years
Robin Brock is a school resource officer for Baltimore County. During his 20-year career, Officer Brock has observed a number of constant changes within the police force. Some of these changes include improvements in laws, procedures and technology. Additionally, Brock reports that he has seen more minorities and females joining the police force in recent years.
Brock joined the United States Army after graduating high school. He later attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore where he earned a B.A. in ancient studies. He became an officer in 1995.
What are your responsibilities as a school resource officer?
"I am assigned to a public school during my daily tour of duty. My responsibilities include law enforcement, law-related education, mentoring and ensuring that the students at my school have a safe place to learn."
What is your favorite part about your daily duties?
"Seeing these kids mature from teenagers to young adults has been my favorite aspect of this job. On a daily basis I get to at least try to make a difference in the part of every juvenile and parent I meet. Patrol officers usually interact with the public only in dire circumstances. As a result, over the years they tend to become somewhat jaded and hardened due to their experiences. Dealing with students, parents and teachers on a daily basis has allowed me to maintain a very positive outlook and keep the optimistic views I had when I joined the department."
How has your education prepared you for your current role?
"The four years I spent in college were the most formative of my life. I was not prepared for the real world when I graduated high school, or even after I left the military. Those years at UMBC truly shaped my professional demeanor and allowed me to excel at my current job."
What do you do to continue your education and training?
"Mostly, I read. However, our department has in-service training once a year, and I go to conferences during the summer where I learn more about how to improve as an SRO. My department has also allowed me to take courses offered by the department directly related to my job, and I've taken nearly every course they have. I take every training opportunity I can."
Do you have any advice for others looking to enter this field?
"I would first say that everyone's circumstances are different. I see many students graduate high school every year ready to take on professional careers like law enforcement right away. Others, like myself at that age, need more years of personal growth and emotional maturity before they're ready. However, I cannot stress the benefit of a college education strongly enough. It may be the scholarly college environment and the far more rigorous post-high school process of learning itself, which helps to shape those additional years of personal growth in a far more meaningful way."
Laura Catherine Hermoza has a lifelong love for writing. In addition to serving as a contributor to various media publications, she is also a published novelist of several books and works as a proofreader/editor. LC resides in Baltimore County.
