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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSRO CV-19 Restrictions at School CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS A POLICY RELATING TO THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS- SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER TO THE STILLWATER AREA HIGH SCHOOL DURING THE 2020-2021 COVID-19 PANDEMIC Background: As the City and School District maintain a School Resource Officer(SRO)Agreement via a formal Agreement;both parties continue to desire to implement the beneficial elements of such roles during the COVID-19 Pandemic and under the associated Governor's Executive Orders. The City Police Department however retains sole command decisions and expectations for its officer's exact roles, operations and scheduling within the District's facilities. The following Policy outlines the City's expected role for the SRO for the upcoming 2020-2021 School Year and while the COVID-19 Pandemic remains. Policy and Required Actions-All policies are subject to amendment by the City. 1. The City will continue to support the continuous role of the SRO at the School District during the anticipated days when students are expected to be in attendance at the building and when City believes that such provision of the SRO can be done in a safe and reasonable manner. 2. The City shall not provide supplemental patrol officers in an overtime or other capacity for High School Events;the expectation is the School District shall ensure that their events at the High School or any facilities within the City remain 100% compliant with all of the Governor's Executive Orders relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic including but not limited to gathering sizes,social distancing and masking protocols. 3. If the District cannot comply with guidelines in place under current Executive Orders or applicable health protocols or the terms of this Policy,the City will recall the daily presence of the SRO for the safety of the assigned SRO and Police Department ability to maintain staffing for response to the entire City,all City staff,and families. The recall will continue until such time as the current guidelines are again being routinely met and demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City. 4. If the SRO is recalled from daily presence at the school due to ongoing concerns, the SRO within their schedule will continue to be dedicated to response to the High School for incidents at the High School and will follow current guidelines in place by the City for response within the City at large. 5. The District shall additionally provide an Office area only used by the SRO with a separate area for interviewing students or staff. Due to the longevity of continued use every day / all day the District will provide decontamination supplies and hand sanitizer for the SRO to use within their office and the interview area. The District will provide needed masks and reasonable equipment for the SRO. 6. The SRO will not be involved in monitoring hall passing times or other areas and events of large numbers of persons congregating unless there is a specific emergent police function to be conducted as determined by the Chief of Police.The role of the SRO may not include the general expectation that it monitors or enforces aspects of social distancing, gathering size or mask use enforcement under current emergency order—such enforcement remains the sole responsibility of the District. 7. If at any time the assigned SRO deems necessary that it vacate the premises due to a general concern that the above provisions are not being dutifully met by the District,the SRO may promptly take that action and will notify their District contact.A return on site shall only occur upon evaluation by the City Administration or Chief of Police (or Sergeant if the Chief is unavailable)of the articulated concerns and how matters may be resolved.