Thursday, September 23, 2010

Board of Education Policy for School Resource Officer

In an email to the Eye, Board of Education chairman Ted Raczka delivered what he calls the Board view of "what sro program should be."

He also added that if Acting Chief of Police Patrick McMahon agrees to the standards, School Resource Officers can be back in the schools "withing a very few days."

This is the BOE policy as regards School Resource Officers:

MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Middletown, Connecticut
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (SRO)

Goals of the SRO program

  • Reduce juvenile delinquency through close personal contact with students on a daily basis.
  • Bridge the gap between police officers and young people and increase positive attitudes toward law enforcement.
  • Teach the value of our legal system.
  • Promote respect for people and property.
  • Reduce juvenile crime by helping students formulate an awareness of the rules, authority and justice.
  • Take a personal interest in students and their activities.
  • Allow students access to the legal system.
  • Provide students a realistic picture of laws and the legal system.
  • Educate students how to avoid becoming a victim through self-awareness and crime prevention.
  • Work in concert with the Youth Service Bureau, DARE, and other school community-related organizations.

Role of School Resource Officer
1.         Board of Education administrators will participate in the selection of School Resource Officers in the Middletown Public Schools.  SROs shall be subject to replacement upon request of a principal.
2.         The SRO is not considered to be the “first responder”.  The Middletown Public Schools Security Staff and Administrators serve as “first responders” in all arguments, fights, and medical situations.  The Middletown Public Schools recognize that there are certain circumstances under which the SRO would be the “first responder” (as outlined in Board of Education Policy #5114).
3.         It is expected SROs will be trained in school-based de-escalation strategies and participate in team meetings to review individual student behavior plans.
4. The SRO is expected to be visible, active, and on campus, working hand-in-hand to solve problems with school administration and Security staff.
5. The SRO is expected to follow Board of Education Policy #5114 Community Relations – Relations with Law Enforcement Agencies.

Duties of School Resource Officer

The responsibility of the SRO is to serve as a positive role model to students, especially in terms of appropriate attitudes and respect towards others.  The SRO will assist school administrators upon request when students or others commit acts of violence or acts resulting in crimes on campus.  The SRO serves as a liaison among the school district, the police department, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.  The SRO assists certified teachers in the classroom on a wide variety of subjects deemed appropriate by curriculum requirements and needs.
The SRO is a classroom resource for instruction in the law related to education, violence diffusion, safety programs, alcohol and drug prevention, crime prevention, and other areas.  They are a member of the faculty and administrative team working hand-in-hand to solve problems in the school community.  When needed, the SRO will assist school security personnel in their mission.
They serve as a resource:
·      To students for a positive nurturing connection with law enforcement in the school community;
·      To teachers, parents, and students for guidance and information on an individual basis, dealing with individual problems or questions, while maintaining student confidentiality; and
·      A counseling resource in areas which affect the educational environment, of a law-related nature.

4 comments:

Ed Dypa said...

Just out of curiosity; what does Board of Education Policy #5114 state?

Anonymous said...

This is great. Good job.

Pantara said...

Foolishness. The only reason an Officer should be in the school is for violence prevention. Everything else is the job of the teacher or the parent. If they are not going to be a first responder for an incident, put them back on the street and call 911 if they are needed.

Anonymous said...

Who drafted this policy Ted R, BOE Atty or others interested in continuing these political power games at the expense of the safety of our students.

Is this the BOE revenge for the finical fiasco of last June, time to show the mayor and the police who is boss of our schools, great move let drugs violence and theft s go undeterred way to go BOE. The SRO was brought into Keigwin this year because of assualts and gang activity taking place.

It truely a new low in local poltics and the Adminsitration of a School Sytem to remove a public safety officer form schools on a politic whim of let show them whose in charge.

I hope the BOE and the Superintendent are enjoying themselves whiie many students are goinmg to school feel less safe so mature adults can play poltics with pur childrens and Staff safety.

Who are the BOE or the School Adminstratiom to tell a police officer do nothiong about crime until we tell you to while your om school time are you kidding me how assinine.