HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-7 Staff Report - SRO AUSD 2021 - 2022CONSENT ITEM
E-7
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: MICHAEL BERTELSEN, CHIEF OF POLICE
DATE: JULY 19, 2021
SUBJECT: AZUSA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AZUSA POLICE DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER CONTRACT FOR AUGUST 1, 2021 – JUNE 30,
2022
BACKGROUND:
The current agreement between the Azusa Unified School District and the Azusa Police Department
expired on June 30, 2021 and the new agreement for the 2021/2022 school year is required. This action
approves an agreement between the Azusa Unified School District and the Azusa Police Department, for
the provision of law enforcement services as a shared cost.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions:
1)Approve the agreement for the 2021/2022 school year between the Azusa Unified School
District and the Azusa Police Department, for the provision of law enforcement services at a
shared cost; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement, in a form
acceptable to the City Attorney, on behalf of the City; and approve subject to non-substantive
changes approved by the City Attorney and City Manager.
ANALYSIS:
The Azusa Unified School District currently contracts with the Azusa Police Department for the
assignment of two, full-time Azusa Police Officers, to the Azusa High School campus and the Sierra
High School Campus. These officers hold the title, “School Resource Officer” (SRO), and are
responsible for maintaining a police presence on campus, building positive relationships with students
and staff, implementing an effective communication network to respond to emergencies, assisting in the
enforcement of school rules, and conducting criminal investigations.
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
7/19/2021
AUSD SRO CONTRACT
July 19, 2021
Page 2
The SRO’s work under the direction and supervision of the Operations Division of the Azusa Police
Department, in cooperation with the Azusa High School and Sierra High School principles.
The shared cost is defined by having the Azusa Unified School District pay 50% of each SRO’s fully
burdened labor cost for the portion of time school is in session, which is 55% of the year, plus an
assessed administrative fee for payroll, human resources, and benefits administration processing for the
officers of $5,000. The formula outlined in the attached is estimated to result in a reimbursement to the
City’s General Fund of approximately $78,550. The balance of the assigned officer’s labor cost is paid
by the City’s General Fund.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The full cost of the SRO’s labor is budgeted in the FY 2021/2022 Police Department operating budget.
Reimbursement from the Azusa Unified School District will be in accordance with the provisions of the
attached agreement is estimated to be $78,550. The reimbursement will be to the City’s General Fund in
revenue account 10-20-310-000-4625.
Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved:
Chris Grant Mike Bertelsen
Administrative Captain Chief of Police
Reviewed and Approved:
Sergio Gonzalez
City Manager
Attachments:
1. 2021/2022 School Resource Officer Agreement
Agreement between
Azusa Unified School District, Los Angeles
County and
Azusa Police Department, Los Angeles County
This agreement is made and entered into for the 2021-2022 school year by and between the Azusa
Unified School District, hereinafter referred to as AUSD, and the City of Azusa hereinafter referred to
as City.
AUSD and the City desire to ensure an efficient and cohesive School Resource Officer (SRO) program
in order to promote school site safety, students’ social-emotional wellbeing, and community
connectedness. Through this mutual understanding, the City will make available to the District two (2)
SROs.
Therefore, be it agreed as follows:
1. AUSD will supply office space, necessary furniture, and telephone to the SROs.
2. AUSD will supply necessary office supplies and assistance necessary to carry out duties under
this Agreement.
3. The City will make available a City police motor vehicle to the SROs for the performance of the
services to be rendered under this Agreement and shall pay for all operating expenses.
4. The SROs shall work under the direction and supervision of the operations division of the Police
Department in cooperation with the site Principal. The SROs’ duties and responsibilities shall
include, but not be limited to, the following:
a. The SRO shall be available from 7:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m., four days a week (at a
minimum). Daily briefing at the Police station is included.
b. Attend staff meetings.
c. Provide information to the site and Police Department as it pertains to the prevention of
crime and student safety.
d. The SRO will participate in two trainings a year provided by AUSD partners such as
McKinley Children’s Center and the Western Justice Center. Topics will include but are
not limited to: restorative practices, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques,
student social-emotional wellbeing, adolescent development, identification, and
appropriate service of students with special needs.
Safety
e. Establish and implement an effective communication network to respond to emergencies
and ensure school safety.
f. Ensure the safety of students and staff by documenting and following up on reports of
assaults, child abuse, and illegal substance as it pertains to AUSD schools. The SROs’
approach will take reasonable precautions to protect the privacy of those involved as well
as promote safety and education.
g. Take reasonable precautions to protect the privacy of students as well as promote safety and
education.
h. Supervise at extra-curricular activities with flex hours or overtime pay as approved/funded
by the Police Department.
i. Assist staff in matters of school safety throughout the school day with attention paid to root
causes and referral to appropriate counseling and mentoring as needed.
j. Provide information to the site and police department as it pertains to the prevention of
crime and student safety.
Education
k. Maintain a friendly, approachable presence on AUSD campuses and District events.
l. Attend annual orientation with presentations from site principal, Child Welfare and
Attendance Department (CWA), Student & Family Support Specialist/Homeless Liaison,
Attachment 1
Azusa Pacific University (APU) McKinley Children’s Center, Western Justice Center, and
other pertinent AUSD partner agencies.
m.Promote school attendance and engagement.
n.The SRO will assist in the promotion of college, career,and trade opportunities for
students.
Prevention
o.Assist with planning and implementation of community and school-sponsored events at
AUSD schools including, but not limited to: Coffee with a Cop, Safe Routes to School,
Red Ribbon Week, Substance Abuse presentations, Domestic Violence presentations, and
Gang Awareness Presentations, as well as other community events.
p.Assist with outreach through student, school, home contacts, and referral to appropriate
AUSD partners and agencies as it relates to AUSD schools.
q.Provide positive reinforcement to students via mentoring,establish a visible presence as a
positive role model, and proactively foster relationships with students.
r.Present classroom lessons pertaining to the danger of substance abuse, school site safety,
personal safety, pedestrian/bicycle safety, internet safety, and cyberbullying.
The precise responsibilities of the SRO shall be mutually agreed upon between an AUSD
representative and a Police Department representative.The SROs shall be assigned to Azusa High
School and Sierra High School and evaluated by his/her Division Commander with input from
AUSD.
5.The District will pay the City for services annually based on the following formula:
a.144 days of instruction/school year at 8 hours per day =1,152 hours annually;2,080 hours
per year for a full-time officer =55%of year spent instructing;School District agrees to
pay 50%of cost of the officers for 144 days of instruction;City assesses an administrative
fee for payroll; human resources, and benefits administration for the officers of $5,000.
b.Formula:(55%x total cost of salary and benefits of SRO x 50%x 2 officers)+($5,000
administrative fee)= cost to District
6.This Agreement may be terminated upon 30 days’ written notice by either party at any time.
7.The term of this Agreement shall be for a period beginning August 1, 2021,and ending June
30, 2022.
8.Parties hereto agree that the program shall be evaluated twice during the term of the Agreement.
Said evaluation shall be made by the Comprehensive High School Principal, District
Representative, SRO, and Azusa Police Department Representative.
9.NO INDEPENDENT BASIS FOR LIABILITY:
a.Nothing herein shall create, by this or other understanding between the parties, an
independent basis for liability of the City or the Police Department, and their respective
officers, officials, employees and agents to either the AUSD or to a third party for any
matter, including, but not limited to, for failing to respond or for responding to a call for
services in a dilatory or negligent manner. Any liability of the City, or the Police
Department, shall be limited to that as determined by law without regard to the existence
of this MOU.
10.INDEMNIFICATION.
a.District Obligations. DISTRICT agrees to defend, indemnify and hold CITY, its elected
and appointed officials, officers, and employees harmless against and from any and all
losses claims, actions, damages, expenses, or liabilities,including reasonable attorney's
fees, arising out of or in any way connected with the District's negligent performance of
this Agreement. DISTRICT assumes workers' compensation liability for injury or death
of its officers, agents, employees, and volunteers,and assumes no workers'
compensation responsibility for the elected and appointed officials, officers, and
employees of the CITY.
b.City's Obligations. CITY agrees to defend, indemnify and hold DISTRICT, its officers,
agent, employees, and volunteers harmless against and from any and all losses, claims,
actions, damages, expenses or liabilities, including reasonable attorney's fees, arising out
of or in any way connected with City's negligent performance of this Agreement. CITY
assumes worker's compensation liability for injury or death of its elected and appointed
officials, officers, and employees, and assumes no workers' compensation responsibility
the DISTRICT.
____________________________________________________
Robert Gonzales Mayor of
Azusa
Date:_ _ _ _ __ __ _ _
Arturo Ortega
Superintendent of Azusa Unified
School District Date:_ _ _ _ __ __
Mike Bertelsen
Azusa Chief of Police
Date:_ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ __