BACKGROUND:
For the past 21 years, the Cathedral City Police Department and Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) have partnered together to provide a specially trained full-time police officer, called a School Resource Officer (SRO), to maintain an immediate police presence and response at Cathedral City High School, as well as other district sites within the city limits. As part of this partnership, the PSUSD has agreed to fund for two years the position of SRO for the ten months that make up each respective school year, mostly covering the salary and benefits of the officer working the assignment.
DISCUSSION:
The term of this Agreement shall be effective upon the date both parties have fully executed the agreement. It shall run from that date through June 7, 2024, unless terminated sooner as provided in Section 16 of the agreement. The SRO shall have a regular work schedule of 7:30a.m. to 3:30p.m. five days per week. The SRO assigned to the district shall provide foot and vehicle patrol and other security protection services on school campuses. The SRO may issue citations or make arrests for crimes, write reports as directed by the district, and other related duties. The SRO may enforce criminal violations and perform other duties agreed to. The SRO is authorized to take control of a crisis pursuant to the policies and procedures of the City. The School District agrees to comply with all reasonable requests of the city necessary to the performance of the SRO’s duties under this Agreement and will furnish space for use by the SRO while performing those duties.
The City shall retain the full responsibility and authority to direct and control the activities of the SRO and supervise and discipline the SRO in accordance with City policies and collective bargaining agreements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the SRO shall cooperate with the district relating to any event or activity which may involve an SRO assigned to the district, including, without limitation, conferring with any student, parent, faculty and school administrator. If a problem arises concerning the performance of duties by an SRO, the principal or his/her designee shall state such concerns in writing directed to the District's Superintendent, or his or her designee, and the Police Chief. The SRO shall be expected to maintain radio contact with the high school administration at all times. In the event the SRO shall find it necessary to leave the campus, the principal, (or designee), shall be notified in advance of the expected absence and the Police Watch Commander shall be notified. In such a circumstance, a patrol car shall be available for immediate response to a school emergency.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The current Cathedral City Police Department SRO salary and benefit package during the term of the contract will not exceed $324,400. The PSUSD funds the position, not to exceed $324,400 during the term of the contract.