Introduction to the ROCS Program
A program that allows police officers to live on Broward school campuses will continue and may even expand, the School Board decided Tuesday, overruling a decision made by district administrators to end the arrangements next year.
Board members say the district sent out lease non-renewal letters to the officers in the Resident Officer on Campus, or ROCS, program, without their knowledge and they aren’t interested in ending the program.
History of the ROCS Program
The program was established in the district in the early 1980s to address theft, vandalism and trespassing on school campuses during and after school hours. The officers live in mobile homes that they own on the school campus. They work for a variety of agencies, including the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol and city police departments.
Controversy Over the Program’s Effectiveness
But the 27 officers who now live on school campuses received letters from Chief Operating Officer Wanda Paul in April saying the program would end after their leases expire on Feb. 21, 2026.
“Please be advised that the school district’s decision to conclude the ROCS program follows a comprehensive review of campus safety operations and a realignment of institutional priorities,” Paul wrote. “While this change marks the end of the ROCS Program, the school district appreciates the service you provided during your involvement in the ROCS Program. Your contributions have played an important role in maintaining a secure and supportive environment across school district campuses.”
Reaction from Officers and School Board Members
The notice surprised Davie Police Capt. Ed Smith, who has been living on campus at a Davie school for 20 years.
“I felt a lot of shock and anxiety because of the situation of being forced out of my home in a few months, when there had been no problems or issues. It was just out of the blue,” he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Gregg Rossman, a lawyer for the officers, told the School Board on Tuesday that “when talking to staff, I was told that it offers zero value to the schools and to the families, and I don’t think that’s accurate.”
School Board members said Tuesday that those letters shouldn’t have been sent out without board input. The board had agreed in 2022 to renew the leases of current tenants for three years and decide the future of the program later. The superintendent at the time had also recommended ending it, Board member Debbi Hixon said at the meeting.
Effectiveness of the Program
For years, top district administrators have questioned the effectiveness of the program. An internal audit in 2015 concluded the Broward program is ineffective, as many officers weren’t living in areas with high amounts of crime, and they were rarely home to respond to alarms. Five schools ended the program, and 27 schools still have them.
Superintendent Howard Hepburn and district Police Chief Kevin Nosowicz told the School Board on Tuesday that there wasn’t data to suggest the program was effective at reducing crime. Nosowicz said the program started at a time when the district didn’t have the same level of high-tech fencing, camera systems and alarm systems that schools have today. Hepburn said most other districts that had these arrangements have ended them.
Many teachers and principals like the program, Nosowicz said, but “the overall benefits I don’t necessarily see them in the stats.”
Support for the Program
But board member Nora Rupert argued the officers’ presence creates a deterrent to crime that may not be captured in data. “It’s like when you’re speeding down the road and you see a police car on the side of the road, you’re going to slow down.”
Other board members say even if the program doesn’t have conclusive data on its effectiveness, it costs the district little since officers own the mobile homes and pay a $100 monthly fee to the district for utilities.
“If there is a minimal cost to doing this, because the officer lives on school grounds, then why would we want to get rid of it?” Board member Jeff Holness asked. “And even though we have improved technology and we have fencing and all these other things, I don’t think that we can sit back and be confident that we’ve done everything in terms of security.”
Holness asked the School Board to consider expanding the program, which the board will discuss at a future meeting.
The officers received support from representatives from the Broward Teachers Union and the Broward Principals and Assistants’ Association.
“This is a 40-year-old program, and these officers are phenomenal,” said Lisa Maxwell, executive director of the principals’ group. “Every single principal in this district, especially those that have them, support them, and those that don’t typically want them. They provide the kind of safety and security that you just can’t get any other way.”
Conclusion
The decision to continue and potentially expand the ROCS program is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to improve school safety in Broward County. While the program’s effectiveness has been questioned by some, the support from teachers, principals, and school board members suggests that it has a positive impact on the community. As the program moves forward, it will be important to continue monitoring its effectiveness and making adjustments as needed to ensure that it is providing the best possible support for students and staff.
FAQs
Q: What is the ROCS program?
A: The ROCS program is a initiative that allows police officers to live on Broward school campuses in mobile homes that they own.
Q: Why was the program initially set to be ended?
A: The program was initially set to be ended due to concerns about its effectiveness and a realignment of institutional priorities.
Q: What was the reaction to the decision to end the program?
A: The decision to end the program was met with surprise and opposition from officers and school board members, who argued that the program provides a valuable service to the community.
Q: What is the current status of the program?
A: The program will continue and may be expanded, with the school board set to discuss the issue further at a future meeting.
Q: What are the benefits of the ROCS program?
A: The benefits of the ROCS program include providing a deterrent to crime, supporting teachers and principals, and offering a unique approach to school safety.
Q: What are the next steps for the program?
A: The next steps for the program will involve the school board discussing potential expansion and monitoring the program’s effectiveness to ensure that it is providing the best possible support for students and staff.
Originally Published: August 20, 2025 at 10:02 AM EDT
