For School Resource Officers Lisa Eifling and Stephen Harbison, keeping students safe is about more than just discipline.

Eifling and Harbison aim to make students feel comfortable asking for help when facing a difficult situation by being approachable and building trust.

“I try to let the kids know that I’ll walk through whatever they’re dealing with alongside them,” said Eifling.

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According to Eifling, the school resource officer for city schools like Steamboat Springs High School, one of the keys to gaining students’ trust is by maintaining a consistent presence. Whether it’s during drop-off and pick-up or in the halls during school hours, Eifling and Harbison want to be visible.

“I have a joke of the day that’s always super corny,” said Eifling. “But the jokes actually help encourage students to come up and talk to me. I also hand out candy to kids who tell me about their day. It’s so important to be easy to talk to.”

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Harbison, who is the school resource officer for schools in Routt County primarily handles elementary and middle school students, said one of the best parts of the job is having a strong bond with the students.

“I just love it when the kids come up to me to hug me,” said Harbison. “That’s what makes it all worth it.”

Both Eifling and Harbison agree that building a strong bond with the students is the best way to support them through difficult times.

“When you get to know the kids, you can start to tell when something is wrong,” said Eifling.

“We want to be the trusted adults in students’ lives.”

Protecting students starts with trust, which proves to be invaluable when students are struggling. When a student breaks a law, Eifling and Harbison work hard to be their biggest advocates. Rather than jump to severe punishment, they encourage understanding and restoration.

“We’re not here to just get the kids in trouble and just charge them with a crime,” said Eifling. “That’s why we have the Juvenile Diversion Program.”

According to Eifling, the Juvenile Diversion Program is a restorative justice practice, which focuses on providing resources to educate minors about why the crime they committed was wrong and how to make it right.

The Juvenile Diversion Program also keeps minors out of the court system. Harbison stressed the importance of handling a situation before the child has to go to court.

“I always tell kids, ‘If you get in trouble, let’s solve it together now,'” said Harbison. “It’s better to work out a solution with me than with a judge.”

Although their primary focus is on students, Eifling and Harbison want parents and school faculty to feel safe and supported too.

Whether someone needs assistance in a complicated situation or simply has a question about the intersection of school policy and law, Eifling and Harbison are there to help.

“We want all parents and staff to know that we’re a resource to them,” said Eifling.

Harbison added, “I always try to remind teachers and principals that I work for them. I’m here to serve them.”

Harbison and Eifling emphasized that they love helping the community in this way. When schools are properly supported, the community feels the effects. 

“We have the best job in the world,” said Eifling. “We love this community. We have the best kids, and it’s our job to walk through difficulties with them.”