TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Douglas J. Hewett, ICMA-CM, City Manager
FROM: Jeffrey Yates, Assistant City Manager
DATE: March 3, 2025
RE:
Title
School Resources Officer Program Framework Presentation and Recommendations from the Science Policy Action Network, Inc.
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 1: The City of Fayetteville will be a safe and secure community - The School Resource Officer (SRO) program is part of an overall violence reduction strategy, working with youth to avoid incidents, versus focusing on enforcement after the fact.
Executive Summary:
The Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN) has worked with the City, the County, the Schools, and students to develop a comprehensive model for School Resource Officers. In addition to working with the stakeholders within the City, SPAN has conducted a thorough academic literature review, and review of best practices within the state and nationally.
The presentation today focuses on the results of the research and a recommended framework for moving forward with a comprehensive SRO program.
Background:
In August of 2024, the City entered into an agreement with the Cumberland Public Schools (CPS) to provide SROs within the City. At that time, the agreement was for one year, with the anticipation that a comprehensive agreement and scope of services would be developed for the 2025-26 school year.
This study presents a framework for the development of the scope of services and possibly agreement with CPS.
It is anticipated, if the Council chooses to move forward, that the Wake County agreement will be the model, with changes to reflect the recommended framework.
Issues/Analysis:
Included in the presentation.
Budget Impact:
The current agreement provides for CPS to pay the full cost of the SRO program.
Options:
1. Additional analysis, based on questions and feedback.
2. Approve framework and direct staff to schedule a joint meeting with the County and CPS to begin the development of a long-term SRO agreement.
3. Terminate the SRO program at the end of the current school-year and notify CPS that the City will no longer provide this service.
Recommended Action:
Approve the recommended framework and direct staff to schedule a joint meeting with the County and CPS to begin the development of a long-term SRO agreement. The joint meeting’s objective would be to gain consensus on the framework, then the staff from each respective organization will develop the final form and detailed operational points.
Attachments:
Presentation