The Role of a School Resource Officer

About Officer Kevin Lopes: 

The Fall River Police Department’s School Resource Officers are a liaison between the Fall River Police Department, school administration, students, parents, city departments, youth organizations, community organizations, and the Courts. The SRO strives to bridge the gap between police officers and young people in an effort to increase positive attitudes toward law enforcement, promote respect for people and property, and reduce juvenile crime by taking an interest in the students and their activities.

SRO Kevin Lopes is a 17 year veteran of the Fall River Police Department and has served in the Uniform Division his entire career prior to joining the School Resource Unit in 2021.  He is currently a member of the Fall River Police Departments Emergency Services Unit which is highly trained in crisis response, A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) and other specialty training.

He also served for 7 years as a Canine Handler for the Fall River Police Department K9 Unit with his now retired partner K9 Joseph.

Outside of the police department, Officer Lopes is a musician, an ice hockey coach and has coached high school football.  He has extensive experience with working with adolescent youth in and out of the school environment. 

Officer Lopes serves as a role model, counselor, and advocate for students, families, faculty and staff, while bringing personalized policing to the Diman Regional Voc-Tech community.  He is a recognized and approachable resource for students and faculty during and after school, at school events, and a various times throughout the community.

While primary focus points of the SRO are crime prevention and deterrence, Officer Lopes conducts criminal investigations on school grounds when necessary in coordinated effort with school officials to determine the best course of action for all involved.

The ultimate goal of the School Resource Officer program is to maintain and improve the safety of the learning environment at Diman Regional Voc-Tech High School through the reduction of school violence and drug abuse as a role model, mentor, and valuable resource liaison.