RES NO 08-01-2018 CITY OF VAN BUREN,ARKANSAS
RESOLUTION NO. b - I - 2018
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, FOR THE CITY OF VAN BUREN,
ARKANSAS,A RESOLUTION TO BE ENTITLED:
A RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
WITH THE VAN BUREN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT; AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Van Buren Police Department and the Van Buren School
District to maintain collaborative efforts to provide a safe and healthy school
environment for the students,staff,faculty,and visitors.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF VAN BUREN,
ARKANSAS,THAT:
SECTION 1: The City Council hereby authorizes the Van Buren Police Department,through its Chief
of Police,to enter into the attached Cooperative Agreement with the Van Buren Public
School District for the providing and funding of School Resource Officers within the Van
Buren Public Schools.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City of Van Buren, Arkansas, by its City Council, did pass,
approve, and adopt, by a vote of for and 0 against the foregoing Resolution at its regular
meeting held on the 27th day of August 2018.
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Roberttlee
Mayor
ATTESTED: A"' ' OV0 • 1 . g i°4 :
ackinCt.
Phyllis !
Y .•:• eA.
City Clerk/Treasurer City Attorney
Agreement between
The Van Buren Police Department and
the Van Buren School District for
the School Resource Officer Program
PURPOSE
It is the intention of the Van Buren Police Department and the Van Buren School District
to maintain collaborative efforts to provide a safe and healthy school environment for the
students, staff, faculty, and visitors.
II. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
A. Establish a positive working relationship in a cooperative effort to prevent juvenile
delinquency and assist in student development.
B. Maintain a safe and secure environment on school campuses, which will be
conducive to learning.
C. Promote positive attitudes regarding the police role in society.
D. Promote pro-active educational programs that reduce discipline problems and
campus crime.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES OF VAN BUREN POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Van Buren Police Department agrees to provide Certified Law Enforcement Officers
to be shared among the schools in the Van Buren School District. These officers' primary
duties are to provide crisis intervention counseling, health, safety, and drug awareness
education while developing a positive interaction with young people within the Van Buren
School District.
IV. EMPLOYMENT AND ASSIGNMENT OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
A. The Van Buren Police Department agrees to locate a School Resource Officer(SRO)
at the following schools:
1. Van Buren High School
2. Van Buren High School Freshman Academy
3 Butterfield Middle School
4. Northridge MiddleSchool
5. City Heights Elementary
6. King Elementary
7. Parkview Elementary
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8. Central Elementary
9. Rena Elementary
10. Izard Center for Learning
B. The Van Buren Police Department and Van Buren School District shall select and
assign the School Resource Officers at each campus.
C. In the event the SRO is absent from work, the SRO is to notify both his/her supervisor
at the police department and the principal at the school to which they are assigned.
D. School Resource Officers shall remain employees of the Van Buren Police
Department and shall not be employees of the Van Buren School District. The Van
Buren School District and the Van Buren Police Department acknowledge that the
SROs remain responsive to the command of the Van Buren Police Department.
E. The Van Buren Police Department and the Van Buren School District agree to provide
their employees with training relative to this agreement and its purpose. The parties
also agree to maintain regular and open communication to evaluate the effect of this
agreement and suggest improvements and adjustments that may be necessary.
F. School Resource Officers are expected to attend all training, meeting and
appointments assigned by the police department. It is recognized that some of these
will conflict with officer availability at the schools during normal school hours. These
conflicts will be minimized as much as possible but the potential exists that such
requirements will take precedence over school presence. The SRO shall strive to
keep the school principal or his representative informed about his/her absences
and/activities as appropriate.
V. HOURS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
A. Each SRO is housed at a specific school, but works to meet the needs of all schools.
Each SRO shall be at their assigned campus thirty minutes prior to the start of the school
day and thirty minutes after the school's dismissal. During regular hours, SROs may be
off campus performing such tasks as may be required by their assignment (Court,
Truancy, and Arrest).
B. School Resource Officers that enter into contractual agreements with the District for after
school security duty shall be paid by the school requesting security.
C. All SROs shall wear their assigned uniform and carry their duty weapon and hand-held
radio while on duty.
VI. DUTIES OF THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
A. The SRO shall assist the principal in developing plans and strategies to prevent and/or
minimize dangerous situations that may occur on campus. This will include a yearly security
audit at each school.
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B. The SRO shall present programs on various topics to students. Subjects shall include but
are not limited to a basic understanding of law, role of law enforcement, drug awareness,
anger management, anti-bullying, safety, and the mission of law enforcement.
C. The SROs are encouraged to interact with students on an individual basis and in small
groups.
D. The SRO shall make him/her available for conferences involving teachers, parents and
faculty.
E. The SRO shall be familiar with agencies and resources that offer assistance to youth and
their families and make referrals to agencies when necessary.
F. The SRO shall take law enforcement action when necessary.
G. The SRO shall contact the principal of the school about his actions to make them aware of
arrest or crime.
H. The SRO shall notify the principal or his/her designee before removing a student from
school.
I. The SRO can take law enforcement action against intruders and unwanted guests who
appear on school property at the principal's request.
J. .The SRO shall conduct investigations of crimes which occur at their assigned schools and
use other resources if needed for follow-up investigations.
K. The SRO will turn in a monthly summation report to the SRO supervisor at the end of every
month.
L. The SRO shall not be used as a school disciplinarian. If the principal believes an incident is
a violation of the law, they may contact the SRO to see if law enforcement action is needed.
M. The SRO cannot be present when a principal conducts an administrative search unless the
principal or school personnel fear for their safety or unless the SRO is delegated this
authority by the principal or his/her designee.
N. The SRO cannot enforce school rules and policies.
0. The SRO shall follow the laws on criminal procedure when confiscating drugs from students
or on school property.
P. the SRO shall follow the guidelines of Arkansas Case Law, School Board Policy, and Van
Buren Police Department Policy and Procedures in regards to investigations, interviews and
searches relating to juveniles.
VII. DUTIES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Van Buren School District shall provide the following materials and facilities, which are
deemed necessary to the performance of the SRO:
1. Access to an air-conditioned, heated and properly lighted office containing a
telephone line to be used for general business purposes;
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2. A desk with drawers, a chair and a filing cabinet which can be locked and secured;
3. Access to a computer terminal or computer hookup;
4. The police department will supply the officers with the usual and customary office
supplies and forms required in performance of their duty.
VIII. FUNDING
Funding for the School Resource Officers' salaries will be shared by the Van Buren Police
Department and the Van Buren Schools District unless funded completely by grant monies.
For the purpose of this agreement, the Van Buren School District will reimburse the Van
Buren Police Department for ten (10) School Resource Officers in the amount of$400,000
annually.
IX. DISMISSAL OF SRO
In the event an SRO cannot effectively performing his or duties, school district
administration shall consult with the office of the Chief of Police to either work out the
indiscretions or replace the SRO.
X. TERM OF AGREEMENT
The initial term of this agreement shall commence on the 6th day of August, 2018, and end
on the 31st day of December, 2020. However, should either party encounter budgetary
constraints that make the continuation of this agreement impractical, then either party may
cancel this agreement upon sixty days notice to the other. Following the initial term, this
agreement shall be automatically renewed for successive one-year periods unless either
party requests termination or modification of this agreement. This request will be made in
writing.
This agreement constitutes a final written expression of all terms of this agreement and is a
complete an exclusive statement of those terms and supersedes any other agreements between
Van Buren Police Department and Van Buren School District.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this agreement to be signed by their duly
authorized officers.
Dr. Harold Jeffcoat, Superintendent Date
Van Buren School District
Jamie Hammond, Chief of Police Date
Van Buren Police
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