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Residence Life Resource Officer Program

RLRO officers with the Hokie Bird

The Virginia Tech Police Department’s Residence Life Resource Officer (RLRO) Program began in April 2011. The program consists of three police officers that patrol the residence halls and residence quads on foot and bike.

The Office for the Residence Life Resource Officers is located in the main lobby of Pritchard Hall.  Students may call into the RLRO Office at 540-231-6102 or the VTPD non-emergency number 540-231-6411.  Students are encouraged to learn more about this program at RLRONation on Facebook, Instagram or X.   Read more about our RLRO officers here.

What are RLROs?

Residence life resource officers have a strong collaboration with Virginia Tech's Residential Well-Being. RLROs attend staff meetings, lead educational programs, conduct walk and talks in residence halls, assist in emergencies, and serve as mentors to students.

RLROs help with a plethora of VTPD community engagement opportunities such as RAD, the Student's Police Academy, the department's annual Hot Dog Luncheon, and Special Olympics events to name but a few.

Office Hours

Once a week for two hours, officers will be in the Pritchard RLRO Office for walk-in mentoring and to provide more information on our VTPD programs and services.  Every other week, officers will be in the Payne Hall 1st floor Imaginarium for RLRO Office hours.  Students are encouraged to follow RLRONation social media sites to get the dates/times for each week's Office Hours. 

Cops with Candy program
Corporal Tarter and a group of students in aprons stand around a male in a bread costume.
Sgt. Pasquarell shakes students hands at a cookout.

The officers work with resident advisors and other campus partners to develop new programs, facilitate presentations and engage the community through programs such as:

  • The Cops and Candy program is one example of how resource officers interact with students and residence life staff. As they distribute candy, they also pass along information on university alcohol and drug use policies.
  • The Drunk Goggles Mario Kart Program has the officers bring six drunk goggle pedal go-cart racers to the residence quads to help educate about the dangers of drinking and driving.
  • RLROs are proud to support the Cheesy Nights program facilitated by University Libraries during Finals Week. Whether flipping grilled cheese or handing out other free goodies, our officers love connecting with students and supporting them during this beloved multi-evening event.
An advertisement for the Off the Cuff Podcast with three people sitting, smiling and talking

The Virginia Tech Police Department is not only dedicated to ensuring safety but also fosters engagement through its entertaining "Off the Cuff" podcast. This unique platform features officers discussing a wide array of topics, from crime prevention tips to special programs and events that they host, all with a dash of humor and relatability. Through this podcast, the department not only educates but also entertains, creating a dynamic and engaging way to connect with the community. So, tune in to "Off the Cuff" for some valuable insights and a few laughs along the way!

Listen to all episodes of Off the Cuff here!

RAD at Virginia Tech
A group of women stand in a circle and practice punching
A man in a hoodie punches a RAD red man held by Sgt. Pasquarell.

The R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) Program for female students and the R.A.D. (Resisting Aggression with Defense) Program for male students are two comprehensive 12-hour courses that begin with awareness, prevention, risk reduction, and avoidance. They then progress to the basics of hands-on defense training. Officers instruct these programs at the New Residence Hall East Residence Life Resource Officer Community Center.

RLROs host several RAD sessions in the Fall and Spring semesters. They also host a RAD session in the summer for Faculty, Staff and other community members.

Interested in hosting an abbreviated (approximately 1 hr) version of RAD for a group? Contact Corporal Tarter or Sergeant Pasquarell to learn more!

Ringo and Corporal Tarter stand on the Drillfield holding a first day of class sign.
A group of people stand around Ringo wearing birthday hats.
President Sands pets Ringo on the stage while Ringo's owner and Corporal Tarter stand behind him.

Meet Ringo, the police patrol pony

Loading player for https://video.vt.edu/media/k/2023/01/1_bk2kt8zb...
Ringo the Patrol Pony is 'mane' attraction at Virginia Tech. Read more here. 
John Tarter and Ringo the Pony

Residence Life Resource Officers:

Past RLRO Programs

WUVT RLRO Nation
RLRO Nation Radio

RLRONation, a radio show that aired on WUVT 90.7FM, gained a plethora of followers in the Virginia Tech community and beyond. The weekly show provided an opportunity for RLROs to host community partners as guests to highlight programs and events. Officers shared safety tips, campus resources and a plethora of mediocre dad jokes.

Two men in glasses and collared shirts smile.
Walk with a Cop program
  • The Gotcha Program has officers make rounds with resident advisor's to locate unlocked doors and place security notices on the doors. This is done as a reminder to the residents to keep doors locked to help reduce crime.
  • The Fermented 500 Program has the officers bring six drunk goggle pedal go-cart racers to the residence quads to help educate about the dangers of drinking and driving.
RLROs with the Hokie Bird