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Prince George’s County Board of EducationAAA

PGCPS 14201 School Lane + Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 + www.pgcps.org

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Telephone: 301-952-6115

Facsimile: 301-952-6114

Board Chair

Alvin Thornton, Ph.D.

Board Vice Chair

Edward P. Burroughs,ITI

Board Members

Raaheela Ahmed

Pamela Boozer-Strother

D. Paul Monteiro, Jr.

David Murray

Belinda Queen

Sandra D. Shephard

Bryan M. Swann

Joshua M. Thomas

Curtis Valentine, M.P.P.

K. Alexander Wallace

Sonya Williams

Ninah Jackson,Student Member

Secretary-Treasurer

Monica Goldson, Ed.D.

ADMINISTRATION

ChiefExecutive Officer

Monica Goldson, Ed.D.

Telephone: 301-952-6008

September 15, 2020

MEMORANDUM

TO: Alvin Thornton,Ph.D, 7 f . nutBoard Chair Pr J

FROM: Sonya Williams

Chair, Operations, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee

SUBJECT: Committee Review of School Resource Officers Proposal

The Operations, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee (Committee) met virtually on

September 14, 2020, with the following membersin attendance: Sonya Williams,

Committee Chair; Belinda Queen, Committee Vice Chair; Edward Burroughs,III; Curtis

Valentine; and Alvin Thornton.

During the meeting, as requested in the attached August 10, 2020, memorandum,the

Committee received the attached presentation and proposal from the Chief Executive Officer

(CEO)regarding the status of School Resource Officers (SROs) in the school system. The

CEO’s presentation included information covering the evolution of SROs nationally and in

our schooldistrict, mass shootings in schools, relevant State legislation, Prince George’sCounty Public Schools (PGCPS) and county and municipal police department memoranda

of understanding, school security and SRO performanceactivities, activities of the county’s

Task Force on Police Reform, and the CEO’s recommendationsfor next steps.

After a thorough discussion of various aspects of the presentation and prior proposals, theCommittee voted to recommendto the full Board of Education thatit: receive the CEO’sreport; instruct the CEO to continue receiving information from parents, staff and

community leaders, including the results of the County Police Reform Task Force (which

will be completed on or before October 30, 2020); instruct the CEO to bring a report

and recommendation before the Board on or before January 8, 2021 regarding the status of

SROsin the school system and any additional related recommendations regarding school

security, and student support services based on herresearch and findings.

Mrs. Williams, Dr. Thornton, and Mr. Valentine voted in favor of the motion to forward the

OBFA recommendation to the Board. Mrs. Queen and Mr. Borroughsvoted against themotion.

Attachments

Copyto:

Members, Board of Education

Monica E.Goldson, Ed.D., Chief Executive OfficerSuzann M.King, Esq., Board Executive Director

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide a great education that empowers all students and contributes to thriving communities.

Prince George’s County Public Schools

School Resource Officers’ Overview

Department of Safety and Security Services

September 14, 2020

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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

Alvin Thornton, Ph.D., Chair

Edward Burroughs III, Vice Chair

David Murray, District 1

Joshua M. Thomas, District 2

Pamela Boozer-Strother, District 3

Bryan Swann, District 4

Raaheela Ahmed, District 5

Belinda Queen, District 6

K. Alexander Wallace, District 7

Sonya Williams, District 9

D. Paul Monteiro, Jr.

Sandra D. Shephard

Curtis Valentine, M.P.P.

Ninah Jackson, Student Board Member

Monica Goldson, Ed.D., Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Executive Officer

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History of School Resource Officers (SROs) - Nationally

• Two congressionally mandated reports (released in 1975 and 1978, respectively) found that school violence and disciplinary problems—including the use of drugs and alcohol and weapons carrying—were on the rise across the nation’s school systems

• In the 1980s, federal efforts to prevent alcohol and drug use among students and young people intensified. By the mid-1980s, reports of a cocaine “epidemic” led to a new urgency to congressional efforts to address substance abuse among young people

• The COPS Office directed around $1 billion in federal grants toward state and local school safety programs, the majority of which has been dedicated to funding the hiring and training of school resource officers (SROs)

• In the aftermath of eight school shootings in 1998—and one year before the shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado—Congress also viewed the Cops In School (CIS) Program as a necessary response to a crisis of violence in schools

• On October 15, 1998, President Bill Clinton announced the CIS Program at the first White House Conference on School Safety, envisioning it as a $65 million effort to hire 2,000 SROs nationwide.

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Mass School Shootings - Nationally

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School Date Victims

Red Lake Senior HS March 21, 2005 7

West Nickel Mines School October 2, 2006 5

Virginia Tech University September 16, 2007 32

Northern Illinois University February 14, 2008 5

Oikos University April 2, 2012 7

Sandy Hook Elementary School December 14, 2012 26

Santa Monica College June 7, 2013 5

Marysville Pilchuck High School October 24, 2014 4

Umpqua Community College October 1, 2015 9

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

February 14, 2018 17

Sante Fe High School May 18, 2018 10

School Resource Officers – State Perspective The Maryland Center for School Safety

• The purpose of the Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS) is to establish a coordinated and comprehensive policy for school safety in Maryland. MCSS was established in July 2013. MCSS coordinates training pertaining to the acquiring and sustaining best/promises practices in promoting positive school environment related to prevention and intervention strategies.

SB 1265, Maryland Safe to Learn Act of 2018

• The bill requires public high schools to have either a school resource officer or plans for adequate law enforcement coverage by the upcoming school year. Public middle and elementary schools will need to have either a school resource officer or plans for adequate law enforcement coverage in place prior to the 2019-2020 school year.

Note: Currently, SROs are only assigned to high schools. Security officers with arrest powers are assigned to high and middle schools

School Resource Officers

• A school resource officer is defined as (1) a law enforcement officer assigned to a school in accordance with a memorandum ofunderstanding between a local law enforcement agency and a local school system or (2) a Baltimore City School Police Officer,as defined in current law. By September 1, 2018, MCSS, in consultation with local school systems, must develop a specialized curriculum to be used in training SROs that addresses specified issues. The curriculum must be submitted to the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission (MPTSC) for approval. By March 1, 2019, MCSS must develop and submit to MPTSC for approval a model training program based on the curriculum. Each local law enforcement agency must enroll SROs either in (1) the MCSS model training program or (2) a local training program approved by MPTSC that is consistent with the approved curriculum. All SROs must complete an approved specialized training program by September 1, 2019.

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History of School Resource Officers (SROs) in PGCPS

In the 1990’s, there was a strong need to have police officers in schools to reduce crimes and serve as role models. Prince George’s County witnessed a surge in homicides and other violent crimes involving its youth. For two decades (1989 to 2008) , the County averaged 125 homicides per year. Since 2008, homicides have remained well below 100 per year.

Through grant funds, David Burger, Greenbelt Police Officer, was the first SRO and was assigned to Eleanor Roosevelt High School. PFC Michael Rudinski was the second SRO and was assigned to Northwestern High School in 1998. Prince George's County Police Department and Maryland Park followed in 1999.

On November 8, 1999, the Hyattsville City Police Department, assigned PFC. Michael Rudinski to Northwestern High School on a full-time basis. PFC Rudinski assumed the position at that time and was tasked with meeting the grant requirements for the “Cops In Schools (CIS) Grant.

• PFC. Rudinski arrested 48 people during SY 1999• School Security arrested 35 people during SY 1999• In 1998-1999 school year police responded to Northwestern High School 327 times.• In 1999-2000 school year police other than the School Resource Officer responded to the school only 56 times,

a reduction of 271 (83% reduction) regarding calls for services • This reduction in calls to the school allowed Patrol Officers to be proactive in reducing crime within the

community

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PGCPS Memorandum of Understanding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PGPD and designated Municipalities

MISSION

• The Parties enter into this Agreement for the purpose of establishing and improving the School Resource Officer Program, defining specific duties and responsibilities, and establishing a working protocol for exchanging information and addressing matters of concern cooperatively with the goal of maintaining and enhancing a safe and secure learning environment forstudents, staff, and the PGCPS school community within Prince George's County, Maryland

TERM

• The Board of Education (BOE) has four standing arrangements with local police departments to provide SROs to predetermined schools. These MOUs include Prince George’s Police Department, Hyattsville Police Department, Bowie Police Department and Greenbelt City Police Department

• Bowie Police Department, Hyattsville Police Department and Greenbelt City Police Department MOUs expired on June30, 2020. Each Department is paid $80,000 per year by the County; no direct cost to PGCPS

• Prince George’s Police Department’s MOU is set to expire on June 30, 2022; at no cost to PGCPS

COMPENSATION

• The Policing Agency (PGPD) shall be responsible for compensating SROs assigned to school sites ( no cost to PGCPS).

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PGCPS Memorandum of Understanding

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PGPD and designated Municipalities continued

TRAINING

• SROs shall complete all required training as established by the Maryland Center for School Safety

• SROs shall participate with Board security staff in annual trainings provided by the Board.

• SROs shall collaborate with administrators at their assigned school sites to identify and implement training programs for PGCPS staff and the POLICING AGENCY.

• Each SRO shall be provided access to his/her assigned school site's Emergency Plan, which shall include the schools formalized plan for active assailant response techniques. The Parties shallreview the Emergency Plan at least annually, and collaborate to conduct annual training for the implementation of the Emergency Plan.

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PGCPS Memorandum of Understanding

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PGPD and designated Municipalities continued

Duties of SRO:

• SROs will acknowledge the authority of the principal, as the administrator of the school, at all times as to matters within the scope of his/her authority.

• The SROs will assist school staff in enhancing safety inside their assigned schools and serve as a liaison between his/her agency and PGCPS officials for school and police related concerns andincidents.

• The SRO will present visible presence and serve as a positive role model for students.

• The SRO will assist in fostering amiable working relationships between law enforcement, staff andstudents.

• Unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as rumors of a fight or some other serious event, the SRO will patrol the school and the school grounds on a random schedule. (Personnel other than SROsshould staff assignments to stationary or fixed posts on school grounds.)

• The use of force by an SRO will be done in a reasonable manner in accordance with the Police Department's Use of Force General Order. Any use of force by the SRO will be investigated by the Police Department according to regulations. The SRO should be familiar with PGCPS's Student SafetyAdministrative Procedures, which are attached to this MOU for reference.

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PGCPS Memorandum of Understanding

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PGPD and designated Municipalities continued

Roles and Responsibilities of the Board via Principals, Administrators andTeachers

The principal is responsible for administering and supervising the total school program, including the safety and security of studentand staff and providing educational leadership for the students and staff consistent with the educational goals of the community. In the event that a student misbehaves, the principal or his/her designee will be the primary source of administrative disciplinaryconsequences and intervention pursuant to the PGCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities.

• Principal and staff shall be responsible for classroom and student discipline;

• Principal and staff shall be responsible for enforcement of PGCPS rules policies and procedures;

• Principals also should meet on a quarterly basis with their Police Commanders or their designees to provide feedback on their SROs.

• Both parties must agree to meet at a mutually agreeable time upon request to address issues that may have arisen out of the performance of thisAgreement.

• Principal will follow PGCPS Students' Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, policies, administrative procedures and state law in application ofstudent discipline, and

• Principal will communicate with the SRO should any situation evolve or reveal itself to be a life threatening or law enforcement matter.

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Arrest Data for 2019-2020

Crimes and Weapons SY 19/20

In school year 2020, there were 280 arrests of students for crimes committed on and off school properties.

These arrests involved School Resource Officers, Safety and Security Officers, Prince George’s Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies. The top three crimes committed:

(1) Fighting (2) Disruption(3) Other weapons

Listed below is a breakdown of All Arrests in SY 2020:

Safety and Security Services – 204

Law Enforcement Specialty Units – 44

School Resource Officers - 32

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Arrest Data for 2019-2020

The Prince George’s Police Department and various law enforcement agencies arrests of school students. In SY 19/20 numerous law enforcement agencies arrested students for committing crimes on and off school properties. The Fire Department and its Arson Unit responded to numerous arson calls at schools.

Total Number of Arrests by Various Law Enforcement Agencies – 44Fire Marshal - 13PGPD RST - 12PGPD RID - 7 Hyattsville City PD - 4PGPD District III Investigative Section -3Office of the Sherriff – 1PGPD CID – 2Laurel Police Department – 1Police Patrol - 1

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Arrest Powers

SROs and School Security Officers with Arrest Powers

SROs are assigned to work high schools only. There are four SROs who roam from school to school. Safety and Security Services have 66 security officers with the power of arrest. The only armed personnel in schools are SROs.

Total School Resource Officers (33):

Prince George’s County Police - 28Bowie Police Department - 2Greenbelt Police Department - 1Hyattsville City Police Department – 2

Total School Security Personnel with Arrest Powers (66):

Total Number of School Security Officers and SROs with Arrest Powers – (99)

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Types of ArrestTypes of Arrests by SROs in SY 19/20

• Extortion 10• Serious Bodily Injury 6• Drugs/Controlled Substances 3• Other Weapons 2• Attack on Adults 2• Fighting 2• Firearm 1• Sale of Controlled Substance 1• Destruction of Property 1• Attack on Students 1• Firearm on School Property 1• Threat to Student 1• Disruption 1

Total Arrest by crimes - 32

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Prince George’s County Police Task Force

Overview

• The Task Force will work in unison to frame the development of recommendations in real time (ensuring that there is alignment in thinking)

• The Task Force is empowered to identify “outside resource members” who can help provide additional expertise to Task Force work groups

• Work on specific areas of focus as outlined by the Task Force Chairs

• Review police department policy and procedures, county ordinances and related documentation to glean a knowledge base that will provide background understanding of how the police department is currently governed

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PGCPS Recommended Next Steps

• Survey Students, Parents and Staff to allow their voice to be heard

• Reduce the arrest powers of internal PGCPS Security Staff

• Create a crisis prevention model in partnership with the Department of Social Services and provide additional funding for quality after-school programs for students and families in targeted communities.

• Continue to increase mental health support provided to students over the next 3 years.

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Department of Safety and Security Services

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Questions