08/13/2026
⭐ SRO SPOTLIGHT ⭐ Each day this week, we're introducing you to one of our School Resource Officers! But this time, there's a catch: we've got a twofer! Corporal Oscar Palma and Officer Vincent Richardson. Both serve as SROs at South Lake High School. Thank you both for your dedication!
Cpl. Palma:
"My name is Corporal Palma, with the Groveland Police Department. I am a school resource officer at South Lake High School. This is my seventh school year as an SRO at South Lake High School.
Being an SRO is special to me because I get to do more than enforce the law. I get to build relationships with students, be a positive role model, and earn their trust. I have the opportunity to protect the school while also mentoring and helping students make good decisions. That combination of safety and connection is what makes being an SRO different for me.
What brings me to work every day is the people. I enjoy interacting with the students and staff and being part of the school community. I like knowing that I can be there when someone needs help, whether it’s a safety issue or simply someone who needs to talk. That makes the job rewarding for me.
Being proactive is a big part of being an SRO. I try to stay involved, pay attention to what’s happening around campus, and address small issues before they turn into bigger ones. I believe being present, approachable, and aware helps prevent problems and keeps the school safe.
What makes our school community unique is the connection I have with the students and staff. I enjoy being around the students, getting to know them, and watching them grow. I love that I’m not just doing a job here—I’m part of the school community and have an opportunity to make a difference."
Officer Richardson:
"I’m Officer Vincent Richardson with the Groveland Police Department, currently serving as a School Resource Officer at South Lake High School. My background in law enforcement includes working in corrections and security before becoming a police officer. Those experiences helped shape the officer I am today, but becoming an SRO has given me an opportunity to make an impact in a completely different way.
What makes being an SRO special to me is that I’m not just responding to problems after they happen. I have the opportunity to build relationships with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and the entire school community. I get to know these students beyond the incident or situation that may bring them to my attention. Sometimes, being an SRO means being a police officer, but other times it means being someone a student can talk to, someone who can provide guidance, or simply someone who is there when they need an adult they can trust.
That relationship-building is what makes this assignment different from many other areas of law enforcement. In patrol, you may interact with someone for a few minutes and then move on to the next call. As an SRO, you see the same students every day. You get to watch them grow, overcome challenges, make better decisions, and eventually graduate. Knowing that I may have played even a small role in helping a young person make the right choice is extremely rewarding.
One of the things that excites me about this job is that no two days are the same. You can walk into work expecting a normal day and end up dealing with anything from a student who needs someone to talk to, to a serious incident that requires immediate action. I enjoy the responsibility, the problem-solving, and the opportunity to make a difference. I also enjoy the fact that I’m constantly learning. Every student, situation, and challenge gives me another opportunity to become a better officer and a better SRO.
Proactivity is a major part of how I approach the job. I believe good law enforcement isn't just about reacting when something happens; it's about identifying problems before they become bigger problems. That means being visible, paying attention to what is happening around campus, communicating with school staff, building relationships with students, utilizing available resources, and addressing concerns early. Sometimes a simple conversation or intervention can prevent a situation from escalating into something much more serious.
South Lake High School is unique because of the people who make up the community. There are a lot of different personalities, backgrounds, challenges, and experiences, but everyone has a role in making the school successful. What I love most is being part of that team. I’m not there simply as a police officer standing on the outside of the school community. I consider myself part of the school community.
Ultimately, what brings me to work every day is knowing that what I do matters. Law enforcement gives me the opportunity to protect people, but being an SRO gives me the opportunity to influence young lives while they're still developing. If I can help a student make a better decision, feel safe at school, build trust with law enforcement, or simply know that there is an adult who cares about their future, then I feel like I've done my job.
For me, being an SRO is about more than wearing the uniform. It's about being present, being proactive, building relationships, and leaving a positive impact on the students and community I serve."
