5142.4

Students

Safety

School Resource Officer

In order to make schools more orderly, safer and secure, the district  will   may  employ police officers to deliver security services as school resources officers (SROs).

The utilization of school resource officers in district schools is to accomplish the following goals:

•  To provide a safe learning environment and help reduce school violence.

•  To improve school/law enforcement collaboration.

•  To improve perceptions and relations among students, staff and law enforcement officials.

•  To collaborate with designated members of the school and District staff and with local law enforcement, fire service, public safety and emergency management agencies, and parents/guardians in the development of school safety/crisis plans.

Alternative language:

It is understood and agreed that the Board of Education and the Police Department officials share the following goals and objectives with regard to the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program in the schools:

1.  To foster educational programs and activities that will increase student's knowledge of and respect for the law and the function of law enforcement agencies;

2.  To encourage SROs to attend extra-curricular activities held at schools, when possible;

3.  To act swiftly and cooperatively when responding to major disruptions and flagrant criminal offenses at school, such as: disorderly conduct by trespassers, the possession and/or use of weapons on campus, the sale and/or distribution of controlled substances, and riots;

4. To report serious crimes that occur on campus and to cooperate with the law enforcement officials in their investigation of crimes that occur at school; and

5.   To cooperate with law enforcement officials in their investigations of criminal offenses which occur off campus.

6.  To be involved in the development of District and school safety/crisis plans.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

1.  The observation and reporting of any unlawful act;

2.  The prevention of theft or misappropriation of any item of value;

3.  The control of access to premises being protected;

4.  The maintenance of order and safety at public activities;

5.  Protection of district property, students, staff and persons and property on or about district property or while attending district-sponsored activities.

Optional Language:

6.   Investigating and documenting specific incidents;

7.   Assistance in identifying, intervening and communicating with at-risk students;

8.   Provision of crime prevention education;

9.   Promotion of a positive student attitude towards law enforcement;

10.   Operating as a liaison between the community and the District.

The Superintendent of Schools will develop administrative regulations as necessary to implement this policy.

Alternative language:

The Board will work in cooperation with the law enforcement agency/police department in the placement of school resource officers in its high/middle/elementary schools. The objectives and qualifications of resource officers will be determined by the police department and shall be subject to approval by the Board.

The Board shall enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the local police department that defines the officer's role and responsibilities. The MOU must address daily interactions among students, school personnel, and police officers, and must include a graduated response model for student discipline. Any such MOU entered into, extended, updated, or amended on or after July 1, 2021 shall include a provision requiring all school resource officers to complete, while in the performance of their duties as school resource officers and during periods when such officers are assigned to be at the school, any separate training specifically related to social-emotional learning and restorative practices provided to district certified employees.

(cf. 5114 - Suspension/Expulsion; Student Due Process)
(cf. 5131 - Student Conduct)
(cf. 5131.2 - Assault)
(cf. 5131.21 - Terrorist Acts/Threats)
(cf. 5131.4 - School Grounds Disturbances)
(cf. 5131.41 - In-School Disturbances)
(cf. 5131.5 - Vandalism)
(cf. 5131.6 - Drugs, Tobacco, Alcohol)
(cf. 5131.61 - Inhalant Abuse)
(cf. 5131.612 - Surrender of Physical Evidenced Obtained from Students)
(cf. 5131.7 - Weapons and Dangerous Instruments)
(cf. 5131.8 - Off School Grounds Misconduct)
(cf. 5131.9 - Gang Activity or Association)
(cf. 5141.6 - Crisis Management)
(cf. 5142 - Safety)
(cf. 5144 - Use of Physical Force)
(cf. 5145.11 - Questioning and Apprehension)
(cf. 5145.12 - Search and Seizure)
(cf. 5145.121 - Vehicle Searches on School Grounds)

Legal Reference:  Connecticut General Statutes

4-176e through 4-180a. Contested Cases. Notice. Record.

10-220 Duties of boards of education.

10-233a through 10-233f. Suspension, removal and expulsion of students, as amended by PA 95-304, PA 96-244, and PA 98-139.

53a-3 Definitions.

53a-217b Possession of Firearms and Deadly Weapons on School Grounds.

PA 94-221 An Act Concerning School Discipline and Safety.

GOALS 2000: Educate America Act, Pub. L. 103-227.

18 U.S.C. 921 Definitions.

Title III - Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Sec. 314 (Local Control Over Violence)

Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 as amended by the Gun Free Schools Act of 1994.

P.L. 105-17 The Individuals with Disabilities Act, Amendment of 1997.

Kyle P. Packer PPA Jane Packer v. Thomaston Board of Education.

Policy adopted: