Title
School Resource Officer (SRO) Update
Description
This report provides an update to the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee on the Police Department's School Resource Officer (SRO) program.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
At the request of school districts, the Police Department enters into Intergovernmental Agreements with various school districts to assist with the cost of SROs deployed in schools. Funding for these SROs is provided through partnerships with the Arizona Department of Education and individual school districts. Through this partnership, school district funds reimburse the City for 75 percent of the SRO's salary, while the remaining 25 percent is paid by the City.
The 2023-2024 school year included agreements for SRO services at 77 schools for a total deployment of 67 SROs. Due to receiving additional requests for SROs that could not be filled at the time, the City Council, during the July 3, 2023 City Council Formal meeting, authorized the ability to enter into conditional agreements with the school districts that made a formal request for SROs. These agreements allowed the City and the additional school districts to move forward in the future if additional SROs are identified. The 2024-2025 school year will include agreements for SRO services at 81 schools for a total of 69 SROs, with three of these positions being funded by school districts.
2024-2025 SRO School Districts:
ASU Preparatory Academy
Cartwright Elementary District
Cave Creek Unified District
Deer Valley Unified District
Empower College Prep.
Glendale Union High School District
Horizon Community Learning Center
Kaizen Education Foundation
Kyrene Elementary District
Laveen Elementary District
Murphy Elementary District
Paradise Valley Unified District
Phoenix Union High School District
Premier Charter High School
Scottsdale Unified
Tempe Union High School District
Tolleson Elementary District
Tolleson Union High School District
Washington Elementary School District
Wilson Elementary District
Contract Term
The terms of these agreements are for one year with varying start and end dates to coincide with each school's 2024-2025 school year.
Financial Impact
Cost to the City is the 25 percent match for the SRO salary and fringe benefits.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Police Department.