Curtis S. Lavarello, the executive director of the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), who developed the curriculum now in use to train school-based police officers in the United States, has been named to Police magazine's Advisory Board.
A 20-year law enforcement veteran, Lavarello has an extensive background in the criminal justice system, including being honored as South Florida's officer of the year in 1987. In 1994, he developed the first youth court program for Palm Beach (Fla.) County, which was later recognized as one of the largest teen division programs in Florida. He also helped develop the first school resource officer program for Broward County, Fla.
"Curt backs up impressive law enforcement credentials with a tremendous commitment to NASRO and its mission of keeping our nation's schools safe for students and staff," said Police Executive Editor Dennis Hall. "He has worked tirelessly on developing the professionalism and capabilities of SRO programs around the country realizing that reaching our nation's youth effectively through visible on-site law enforcement is a critical step in helping to reduce problems and violence at schools.
"I'm delighted that he is joining our distinguished team of advisors," added Hall. Lavarello travels regularly and is a frequent speaker, instructor and panel member at various law enforcement conferences. He is an adjunct professor for the University of North Florida and the National School Safety Center and was recently selected as part of an SRO focus group sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice to formulate SRO training on a national level.