Qualifications of SRO
Throughout the term of this Agreement, the SRO agrees that s/he:
A. Has been and will continue to be appointed as a police reserve officer by the Princeton City Police Department;
B. Has been and will continue to be subject to the direction of the Princeton City Police Department;
C. Has been and will continue to be required to obey the rules and orders of the Princeton City Police Department;
D. Has completed all training required of regular full-time law enforcement officers employed by the Princeton City Police Department;
E. Has successfully completed the minimum training requirements established for law enforcement officers under IC 5-2-1-9;
F. Has received at least forty (40) hours of school resource officer training at the Indiana law enforcement training board established by IC 5-2-1-4, the National Association of School Resource Officers, or another school resource officer training program approved by the Indiana law enforcement training board; and
G. Has received training that includes instruction regarding skills, tactics, and strategies necessary to address the special nature of school campuses and school building security needs and characteristics.
Duties of SRO
The School and the SRO agree that the SRO shall be assigned the following duties and responsibilities:
A. To assist the school safety director with the development and implementation of the school safety plan that does the following:
1. Protect against outside threats to the physical safety of the students;
2. Prevent unauthorized access to school property;
3. Secure schools against violence and natural disaster.
The SRO shall consult with local law enforcement officials and first responders when assisting with the development of the school safety plan.
B. Carry out any additional responsibilities assigned to the SRO under this Agreement and to:
1. Project against outside threats to the physical safety of the students;
2. Prevent unauthorized access to school property; and
3. Secure schools against violence and natural disasters;
C. To be a visible law enforcement figure on the School campus dealing with law enforcement matters and school code violations originating on the assigned campus. As to school code violations, the SRO will take the student to the appropriate principal or superintendent's office for discipline to be meted out by school officials. An SRO should not directly engage in student discipline matters unless requested by an administrator due to the knowledge that a violation of Indiana criminal statute has likely occurred.
D.Maintain the physical plant of the assigned campus to provide a safe environment as to law enforcement matters and school code violations. This includes building(s), grounds, parking lot(s), lockers and other public school property. As to school code violations, the SRO will take the student to the principals’ or superintendent’s office for discipline to be meted out by school officials.
E. To be a resource for students which will enable them to be associated with a law enforcement figure and role model in the students’ environment.
F. To be a resource for teachers, parents and students for conferences on an individual basis dealing with individual problems or questions that are not related to day-to-day student/school disciplinary issues;
G.To make appearances before classrooms, parent groups, and other groups associated with School, or community groups through School and as a speaker on a variety of requested topics;
H. To share information with the administration about persons and conditions that pertain to school safety concerns.
I. To work with the superintendent or designee will develop plans and strategies to prevent and/or minimize dangerous situations which might result in student unrest;
J. The SRO will have campus meetings with the principal and/or the principal’s designee weekly, or as otherwise mutually agreed, to coordinate daily activities.
K.The SRO will cooperate and participate as necessary in School’s expulsion hearing process if requested by the Superintendent of Schools or his legal counsel. The Princeton City Police Department will provide case information and/or testimony to the Superintendent, or his/her designee, provided the case is not a pending criminal investigation. In cases of active criminal investigations, the State Attorney, or his designee, will approve such action.
L. The SRO will follow and conform to all School Board policies and procedures that do not conflict with the established policies and procedures established by the Princeton City Police Department for reserve police officers.
M. At the principal’s request, the SRO shall take appropriate law enforcement action against intruders, trespassers, and unwanted unauthorized individuals who may appear.
N. The SRO shall develop a working knowledge of the students that may have behavioral / mental health issues and assist school staff and parents in developing non- criminal justice responses to behavioral / mental health issues.
O. The SRO will wear approved department uniform, formal business attire or business casual with appropriate logos and name badges depending on the time of school year, with type of school activity or program, and the requests of the school and/or Princeton City Police Department. Further, the SRO shall wear his/her on duty weapon issued by the Princeton City Police Department while serving as SRO.
P. Assist building and athletic administration in the employment of security for school events.
Q. Assist district administration and the Princeton City Police Department in the employment and assignment of an additional SRO position using off-duty SRO-trained officers.
R. Under Indiana Code, the SRO shall have the authority to:
1. make an arrest;
2. conduct a search or seizure of a person or property using the reasonable suspicion standard;
3. carry an authorized department weapon in accord with department policy; and
4. exercise other policy powers with respect to the enforcement of Indiana laws.
5. other safety and security duties as assigned by the district and school administration.
S. In the event the SRO is absent from work, the SRO shall notify the School Superintendent, building principal, or designee.
