City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 FROM: RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE RIVERSIDE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CITY OF RIVERSIDE FOR THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,063,310 PER YEAR, FOR A TOTAL OF $2,126,620 FOR THE TERM OF JULY 1, 2022 TO JUNE 30, 2024 ISSUE:
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Riverside Unified School District and the City of Riverside in the amount of $2,126,620 for the term of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024 for the School Resource Officer Program.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Riverside Unified School District and the City of Riverside in the amount of $1,063,310 per year, or a total of $2,126,620 for the term of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024 for the School Resource Officer Program; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Memorandum of Understanding with the Riverside Unified School District, including execution of amendments to increase compensation due to adjustments in Officer salaries and benefits, should they occur, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
The Riverside Police Department (RPD) and Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) have been in partnership with a School Resource Officer (SRO) program for over 24 years. The program is an extension of the community oriented policing philosophy whereby police officers are assigned to the public schools to provide a direct public safety resource to the various schools within the district. The model has proven to be an effective crime prevention tool, enhances community trust between youth and law enforcement, and provides a direct resource to handle criminal investigations that occur on campus. Furthermore, officers’ partner with school staff to reduce student truancy, present educational programs, and encourage students to be responsible for their own actions and to make informed decisions.
DISCUSSION:
RPD provides five SROs, one each at: Arlington High School, John W. North High School, Martin Luther King High School, Poly High School, and Ramona High School. The RUSD may request that the RPD provide additional services during evening and weekend District-sponsored events, including but not limited to, dances, athletic events, or performances that may occur at any school throughout the District. The RUSD will compensate the RPD for these supplemental services. The RUSD and the RPD would like to continue this partnership that supports positive youth development, crime reduction and school safety.
The SRO program costs will be shared equally between the City and the RUSD for a total estimated cost of $1,063,310 per year to fund five SRO positions. Agreement compensation may be amended once per year during the term of the Agreement as Officer salaries and benefits change.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal number No. 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with EACH of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Riverside Police Department is dedicated to improving quality of life by creating a safe environment in partnership with the people it serves. RPD’s ability to partner with school districts in Riverside serves to benefit the public safety of the City’s diverse populations, and results in the greater public good. The program model has been proven to enhance community trust between youth and law enforcement.
Equity – RPD provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. The partnership between RPD and the school districts in Riverside helps provide equitable distribution of public safety services.
Fiscal Responsibility – RPD’s participation in the School Resource Program provides reimbursement for assigned officer salaries and benefits and reduces the burden on the General Fund.
Innovation – RPD must constantly change and adapt to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future. These partnerships provide the Department with additional resources and funding to achieve this goal.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The reimbursement from the SRO program allows RPD to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future and ensures the City’s capacity to preserves, adapt and grow.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $2,126,620 for a term of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024, or $1,063,310 per fiscal year.
The SRO program costs will be shared equally between the City and the RUSD for a total estimated cost of $1,063,310 per year to fund five SRO positions. Per the terms of the MOU, RUSD will fund 50% of the cost in the amount of $531,655 per year for Fiscal Years 2022/23 and 2023/24. The City will fund the remaining $531,655 per year for salaries and benefits. Sufficient funds have been budgeted for the two-year contract in RPD’s FY2022-2024 biennial budget in the General Fund, Police Field Operations, various salaries and benefits expenditure accounts.
Prepared by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Memorandum of Understanding between Riverside Unified School District and City of Riverside for the School Resource Officer Program RUSD SRO Program FY 2022-23 and 2023/24 - Page 2