The School Based Programs Section consists of the High School Unit and the Middle School Unit.
These units comprise the School Resource Officer program and provide Resource Officers at the High Schools and Middle Schools within Manatee County. They shall provide "in-school" presence to the children attending the respective schools.
The School Resource Officer Program assigns a full-time Deputy Sheriff to each Manatee County high school and middle school. The School Resource Officers are responsible for law enforcement, mentoring and formal counseling, classroom teaching, and providing a positive role model for the students.
The School Resource Officers also attend after school community events which involve students from their assigned schools.