HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 - CC-6 - Memorandum of Understanding for School R - 9/20/2016CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: September 20, 2016 ITEM NUMBER: CC -6
SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
PROGRAM - ACADEMIC YEAR 2016-2017
DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT - SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
PRESENTATION BY: BRYAN GLASS, CAPTAIN
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CPT. BRYAN GLASS - 714.754.5603
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Costa
Mesa and the Newport -Mesa Unified School District pertaining to the School Resource
Officer program for academic year 2016-2017.
BACKGROUND:
In 1999, the Newport Beach Police Department entered into an agreement with the
Newport -Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) to provide two police officers to staff a
new School Resource Officer (SRO) program for the two high schools and the one
intermediate school located within their city. Their program was implemented in February
2000 and is still in effect.
Based on the success of Newport Beach PD's program and interest from NMUSD, in
2001, our Police Department pursued an SRO program to provide two police officers to
staff Costa Mesa's two high schools and one intermediate school. The City and NMUSD
subsequently approved a MOU for the implementation of our SRO program for academic
year 2001-2002. Since, this program has been viewed as a tremendous success and a
benefit to all parties involved.
In 2012, the Police Department ceased providing two full-time SROs due to organizational
contraction and staffing considerations that lasted the next few years. In the interim, the
Police Department provided personnel to cover SRO responsibilities on an ancillary,
collateral basis. However, in January 2015, with improved sworn staffing, the Police
Department assigned one full-time SRO to the program. The continuity of this officer has
provided considerable stability to the program and enhanced service to NMUSD. In
September 2015, the Department committed a second SRO to the program which was
outlined in the MOU's renewal for academic year 2015-2016.
ANALYSIS:
Since its inception, the primary mission of the SROs is to prevent and deter school
violence before it strikes. SROs help mitigate problems that might otherwise result in an
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emergency call for police services, thereby reducing the burden on patrol officers. Often,
SROs accomplish this by their mere presence on campus. In addition, many students will
advise SROs when future trouble is anticipated, and the officers can then take steps to
control it.
SROs are present on school campuses to ensure the safety and security of our schools.
SROs respond to and handle all criminal acts occurring on school campuses or in the
immediate vicinity. In this respect, SROs conduct the initial investigation on a variety of
crimes such as child abuse, assaults, thefts, graffiti, and narcotics related crimes. They
also provide immediate and direct support to the school administration and security staff.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
A possible alternative would be to discontinue the SRO program and handle any campus -
related calls for service with the assigned area patrol officers. Such an alternative would
draw upon patrol staffing and could potentially tie up patrol resources and render them
temporarily unavailable in other parts of the community. The use of officers on overtime,
or reserve officers, has historically proven inconsistent and does not provide NMUSD staff
with a continuity of service.
FISCAL REVIEW:
The annual salary and benefits cost for two officers is $426,282. The Newport -Mesa Unified
School District will be responsible for half of the total salary and benefits, which is $213,141.
The City is responsible for the other half of the funding through the Police Department's
budget.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney's Office has approved the Memorandum of Understanding as to form.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends approval of the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of
Costa Mesa and the Newport -Mesa Unified School District for academic year 2016-2017.
BRYAN GLASS ROBERT N. SHARPNACK
Police Captain Chief of Police
STEPHEN DUNIVENT
Interim Finance Director
ATTACHMENTS: 1. MOU between the City of Costa Mesa and the Newport -Mesa Unified
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