Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia said he had a mix of emotions following the town council’s delay.

On one hand, he was disappointed that the councilors did not agree to sign the memorandum of understanding to hire a second SRO for Barrington schools. 

But on the other hand, he was buoyed by the fact that the councilors did not vote against the measure altogether. He said they could still sign the MOU when they meet in August or September. 

Chief Correia said he will be ready to present more information and data showing the benefit the addition of a second SRO would have in Barrington schools.

“I intend to do more,” Chief Correia said. 

The SRO positions are vitally important to school safety, Chief Correia said, adding that his top priority with the schools is to keep students and staff safe. 

He said there has been an organized effort to thwart the inclusion of SROs in local schools. He pointed to letters sent by organizations outside Barrington to oppose the school resource officer position. He also referenced the students from other school districts who have attended Barrington meetings. Much of the push-back, he said, is focused on the disparate outcomes for minority students in schools that have SROs. But that is not happening in Barrington, Chief Correia said. 

He also said the letters sent — including some by the ACLU — have unfairly painted SROs in a bad light.

“We’re demonized,” he said. 

Also, Chief Correia wanted to address the argument some people have offered that money spent on school resource officers should instead be spent on more mental health supports and counselors in the schools. He said SROs do things that those people do not do. 

Chief Correia said there is a need for SROs and counselors. 

“It’s not a binary choice,” he said. “It’s both.”

Chief Correia added: “The middle word in SRO is resource, and that’s exactly what it is.”