City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 FROM: RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: 1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5 SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AND RIVERSIDE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,455,286.80 PER YEAR FOR A TOTAL OF $2,910,573.60 FOR THE TERM OF JULY 1, 2024 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026 ISSUE:
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Riverside and Riverside Unified School District in the amount of $1,455,286.80 per year for a total of $2,910,573.60 for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026 for the School Resource Officer Program.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Riverside and Riverside Unified School District in the amount of $1,455,286.60 per year for a total of $2,910,573.60 for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026 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 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 26 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:
The 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 RUSD for a total estimated cost of $1,455,286.80 per year to fund five (5) SRO positions. Per the terms of the MOU, RUSD will fund 50% of the cost in the amount of $727,643.40 per year for fiscal years 2024/25 and 2025/26. The City will fund the remaining $727,643.40 per year for Officer salary and benefits.
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 the RUSD SRO Program, over the two-year agreement, is $2,910,573.60 to fund five (5) Student Resource Officer positions. The City and RUSD will each contribute 50% of the cost of the positions which equates to $1,455,286.60 for the two-year term of this agreement or $727,643.30 per fiscal year. Any supplemental services will be covered by RUSD. The five (5) funded SRO personnel are budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 General Fund, Police Department Personnel budget. Reimbursement from RUSD for the cost of the positions is also included in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget.
Prepared by: Chris Wagner, Police Captain
Approved by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director / Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Riverside and Riverside Unified School District for the School Resource Officer Program RUSD SRO program FY 2024/25 AND 2025/26 - Page 2