TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Douglas J. Hewett, ICMA-CM, City Manager
FROM: Jeffrey Yates, Assistant City Manager, Interim Chief Financial Officer
DATE: November 25, 2024
RE:
Title
Discussion of the School Resource Officer Program and Process
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal I: The City of Fayetteville will be a safe and secure community.
Executive Summary:
The City is operating under a one-year agreement with the Cumberland County Public Schools to provide School Resource Officers (SROs) for the School’s within the City limits. The City has engaged with the Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN) to develop a comprehensive program and scope of services, based around the Wake County model. The overarching goal of the process is to collaboratively develop a framework for the SRO program that not only maintains safety within the schools but supports the comprehensive approach to violence reduction in the City
Background:
At the August 12, 2024, City Council meeting, the City Council ratified the SRO agreement and the Traffic Control Officer agreement with the Cumberland County Public Schools. The ratification fulfilled direction provided at the July 11, 2024, special meeting.
As part of the July 11, 2024, action, the City Council directed staff to “seek to revise a longer-term agreement that would contemplate changes similar to the Wake County agreement.” This process is the fulfillment of that direction.
The SRO program is funded on a reimbursement basis, quarterly by CCPS.
Issues/Analysis:
The process has begun to engage the City Council members and gather input. SPAN’s project plan focuses on four key tasks:
1. Review and Analysis focused on the immediate implementation plan. This portion of the project will provide the proposed scope of services to negotiate a longer-term agreement with the school system.
2. Review and analysis of the best practices and historical context of the SRO program. This portion of the project will rely heavily on best practices, literature reviews, historical analysis, and data analysis to inform the development of a comprehensive framework.
3. Provide a framework for a holistic approach to the SRO program that involves social workers and families. Informed by research and engagement, develop and recommend a comprehensive approach.
The deliverables for this process include:
1.Staffing models for the SRO program that include roving coverage, dedicated high school coverage, middle school and elementary school covers.
2. Holistic, comprehensive framework for a model SRO program, including collaborative strategies, training, key performance indicators, and other components.
3. SRO program scope of services developed collaboratively with the stakeholders, based on the Wake County agreement.
Budget Impact:
The cost for this work is $99,000.00 and is being funded through the Office of Community Safety budget as part of the youth engagement pillar.
Options:
N/A
Recommended Action:
Receive, discuss, and provide any directions needed.
Attachments:
Presentation.