Baltimore County Public Schools celebrated its 2026 School Resource Officers (SROs) of the Year during surprise ceremonies this week.
Two of the honorees are assigned to eastern Baltimore County schools: Officer Aundre (Smitty) Smith, Middle School Resource Officer of the Year and Officer Hector Pomales, High School Resource Officer of the Year.
“BCPS SROs serve as effective and compassionate peace officers, but they do so much more for our schools, staff, and students,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers.
“Working side by side with our teachers and administrators each day, they are integral to providing a safe and welcoming learning space for our students. As mentors, models, and counselors, they are valuable resources for both staff and students. We are fortunate to have such talented, dedicated, and caring SROs in our schools.”
An SRO for the past seven years, Officer Smith retired this month following a 29-year career with the Baltimore County Police Department.
Assigned to Holabird Middle School as an SRO, he began a boys’ club at the school and instituted bi-weekly meetings with male students to build engagement, leadership, and responsibility. The popular boys club led to Smtih working with staff to create a similar opportunity for female students. Known as “Smitty” to both staff and students, Smith became a “floater” SRO at nearby Dundalk High School as he neared retirement last year to keep close to Holabird and help its new SRO become acquainted with the school and its students and staff.
According to his nomination, Smith “possesses every quality that a person should have as an SRO. . . . He went out of his way to make sure the students and staff felt confident in him being the one to protect them.”
Assigned to Parkville High School, Officer Pomales has earned the respect and appreciation of the school community in many ways, demonstrating “the highest standards of professionalism, dedication, and relationship-centered policing within our school community,” according to his nomination. Pomales regularly visits classrooms, collaborates with teachers and staff to “integrate real-world perspectives” into the classroom, and works closely with the school’s Student Safety Assistant team.
Officer Pomales also serves as a vital resource for Parkville’s Spanish-speaking families, often assisting with interpreting during meetings with administrators or counselors.
“In every aspect of his role, Officer Pomales goes above and beyond expectations,” said Parkville Assistant Principal Willis Spencer.
“His proactive approach, commitment to students, and dedication to fostering a safe, inclusive, and connected school community make him an exceptional candidate for School Resource Officer of the Year.”