Resolution 46-21
To: Members of Dublin City Council
From: Dana L. McDaniel, City Manager
Date: July 20, 2021
Initiated By: Chief Justin Paez
Re: Resolution 46-21 - Contract with Dublin City Schools for School Resource Officers
Background
Since the 1998-1999 school year, the City and the Dublin School District have partnered to share a
portion of the cost for providing full time School Resource Officers (SROs) to the schools. Dublin's
Community Education Unit (CEU) has provided a full-time SRO for each middle school (four) and
each high school (three). In the current agreement with the Schools, the City pays the full cost of
two members of this unit, with the Schools and the City sharing equally in the cost for the remaining
five members of the unit.
In the 2021-2022 contract, the Dublin Police Department's Community Education Unit (CEU) will
provide a full-time SRO for each middle school (four) and each high school (three). In the 2021-
2022 agreement, the City will continue to share equally with the Dublin City School District, in the
cost for five members of the unit.
A breakdown of the costs is shown in Article V – Compensation and Payment (page two) of the
attached contract.
Each year, the Schools and the City have renewed this one-year contract. The contract presented
for the 2021-2022 school year includes a reimbursement from the schools not to exceed
$316,045.33.
The partnership between the Dublin Police Department and the Dublin City School continues to be
a strong and vital part of the partnership between the police and the community. Both
organizations remain committed to the safety and security of our schools, while also fostering
positive relationships between police officers and the city’s youth.
At the School Board meeting on June 29, 2021, the Dublin City School Board approved this
contract by a 5-0 vote and signed it for consideration by Dublin City Council.
Recommendation
Staff Recommends approval of Resolution 46-21.
Office of the City Manager
5555 Perimeter Drive • Dublin, OH 43017-1090
Phone: 614.410.4400 • Fax: 614.410.4490 Memo
Dublin Police Department P&P 105.01 Effective 00/00/0000 (Revised 00/00/0000) Page 1 of 11
Policy and Procedure: 402.02
Community Education Unit Officer Manual
Last Revision Date: 6/30/2021
Effective Date: 4/27/2016
Standard Reference: CALEA LE 44.2.4
Approved by: Justin Páez, Chief of Police
PURPOSE
This document will serve as a written agreement between the Dublin City Schools and the Dublin Police
Department. This agreement demonstrates the needed commitment and support from both institutions. This
document also provides a series of guidelines and policies relevant to the performance of the Community
Education Unit Officer and will be the guiding document our officers, school administrators, and the Police
Department administration look to for structure and accountability. This document will be reviewed and
endorsed annually.
POLICY
The goals of any Community Education Unit program are usually very broad and typically include things
such as 1) Bridging the gap between police officers and students 2) Increasing positive attitudes toward law
enforcement 3) Encouraging more cooperation between students and police 4) Reducing juvenile crime and
5) Ultimately helping to develop an atmosphere conducive to learning. The roles of a Community
Education Unit Officer are that of Law Enforcement Officer, Teacher, and Counselor. The key to a
successful Community Education Unit program is to design it to meet the specific needs of the community.
While enforcement is a role of the Community Education Unit Officer, alternatives to arrest may be used
and the officer’s discretion to act remains the same as that of any other police officer.
Dublin’s Community Education Unit program is unique to the community based on input from the school
administration, teachers, faculty, and students. The program is designed to fulfill three overall roles:
- Law Enforcement
- Crime Prevention
- Education
DEFINITIONS
Law Enforcement Role - The Community Education Unit Officer is responsible for the majority of law
enforcement activities occurring at the school during school hours. This will involve the traditional
enforcement activities of arrests, filing charges, etc. The Community Education Unit Officer is also
responsible for conducting follow-up investigations at the request of other Dublin Police Department
personnel and for passing relevant information on to Patrol and investigators. In addition, the Community
Education Unit Officer is responsible for information sharing between school officials and the Dublin
Police Department. To establish and maintain credibility, it is imperative that the Community Education
Unit Officer does not compromise his position as an enforcement authority.
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Crime Prevention – One of the primary roles of the Community Education Unit Officer fulfills is that of
crime prevention. The Community Education Unit Officer will conduct various activities including foot
patrols, monitoring previous crime locations, speaking to teachers about reducing the opportunity for crimes
to occur, analyzing possible crime patterns, investigating crimes and patrolling the parking lots. The
Community Education Unit Officer may also complete security surveys relative to the physical security of
school property and facilities. The Community Education Unit Officer will assist school staff in planning
for security at special events occurring during the school day such as assemblies. Additionally, the
Community Education Unit Officer will act as a resource to the faculty and staff of the school to advise on
matters relative to criminal activity. Finally, the Community Education Unit Officer will coordinate or
conduct crime prevention presentations for faculty, staff and students.
Education - The third role of the Community Education Unit Officer is educational. Considering the
overall mission of our schools is to educate, it is very important that the Community Education Unit Officer
participate in this mission. By becoming a member of the educational team, the Community Education
Unit Officer will become more accepted by students, faculty, and staff.
PROCEDURE
I. Officer Assignment and Supervision:
A. Community Education Unit Officers are members of the Community Education Unit (CEU),
within the Support Services Bureau of the Dublin Police Department. The Community
Education Unit Officers are directly supervised by the CEU Supervisor Corporal and Sergeant.
B. These officers will be assigned to schools during the school year and used in a variety of other
roles including patrol, crime prevention, community relations, and community education
activities, if available.
C. The Community Education Unit consists of the sergeant, a corporal, three Community
Education Unit (CEU) Officers in the high schools, and four middle school Community
Education Unit Officers.
D. All Community Education Unit Officers will be heavily involved in educating our youth and
other crime prevention and community relations activities. This structure provides our
community with the most effective response to the needs of juveniles in our community and
offers us the opportunity to expand our services in crime prevention and community education.
II. Services Provided
A. The presence of the Community Education Unit Officer in the classroom provides both subject
matter and safety resources, which directly contribute to the educational and security climate
of the school. Community Education Unit Officers provide educators with an opportunity to
build links between academic achievement and a real-world profession.
B. Community Education Unit Officers visit classrooms and provide a variety of presentations
both informal and formal. These presentations give vivid and tangible examples of fundamental
academic skills such as; science, math, civics, and language arts being employed within a
profession.
C. Community Education Unit Officers bring to life in the classroom concepts and ideas critical
to students as they develop into responsible adults and enter society. Examples of these
presentations include the following:
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− Traffic Law Overview
− Criminal Law Overview
− Crime Prevention
− Suicide Prevention
− Conflict Resolution
− Personal and Social Responsibility
− Gang Prevention
D. In addition to providing presentations on demand within the school, Community Education
Unit Officers also deliver the established Drug Abuse Prevention Program. This program is
presented at the 7th and 10th Grade levels. This facilitation based curriculum is led by the
Community Education Unit Officer and is focused on informing students about the hazards of
abuse, and the development of resistance skills.
E. Whether talking to students in the hallway or delivering a presentation in the classroom,
Community Education Unit Officers are embedded in the educational fabric within the school.
F. Community Education Unit Officers are expected to be proactive in creating educational
situations, and school administrators are encouraged to leverage this resource.
III. Selection, Assignment, Training and Supervision
A. Community Education Unit Officer Selection:
− As with any program of this type, the success or failure largely depends on the Community
Education Unit Officer involved in the program. For this reason, the Community
Education Unit Officer selection process is designed and conducted to ensure a good
match. The candidate should meet three general requirements:
• College degree or coursework – Community Education Unit Officers are in an
educational atmosphere and will be instructing high school classes. To increase
credibility in this area, a college education would be beneficial.
• Experience as a Patrol Officer - A minimum amount of experience as a Patrol
Officer should be established of not less than two years. Also, prior experience
with juvenile assignments or interest in juvenile programs is preferred.
• Successful performance - All candidates should have proven performance as
reflected by prior performance evaluations and prior work performance.
B. Community Education Unit Officer Assignment:
− A newly selected Community Education Unit Officer will generally be placed in the school
where a vacancy exists; however, should a compelling reason for change exist, the
reassignment of Community Education Unit Officers may be proposed by either the Dublin
City Schools or the Police Department.
− The final decision regarding assignments will be made by the Chief of Police.
C. Community Education Unit Officer Training:
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- Officers selected for the Community Education Officer position will be required to complete the
School resource Officer basic training course as soon as practical but no later than within one year of
assignment to the position.
- All officer regularly assigned to work as a school resource officer shall
participate in any required school district training in bias and cultural diversity.
The goal of this participation is to (1) educate officers about the unconscious
bias they may have and (2) help officers recognize specified characteristics
when carrying out their duties. Fair and bias free policing enhances law
enforcement efforts and promotes trust within the community. Consequently,
this will serve to provide safer and more inclusive school environment.
D. Community Education Unit Officer Supervision:
− The Community Education Unit Officers are supervised by the CEU/Administrative
sergeant and the CEU corporal.
− The supervisors are responsible for monitoring the Community Education Unit Officer’s
performance throughout the year and completing a written mid-year and annual
performance evaluation.
− To ensure the Community Education Unit Officer is meeting the expectations of both the
Dublin Police Department and the Dublin City Schools, the Dublin Police Department may
include the School’s feedback in these evaluations.
− The supervisors will solicit formal feedback two times during the school year. This does
not preclude the Dublin City Schools from providing feedback at any time during the
school year. The feedback, coupled with the supervisor’s observations will be recorded and
used to identify potential problems and improve the Community Education Unit Officer’s
performance and relationship with the staff and students.
E. Effective communications between the Dublin Police Department and the Dublin City Schools
should identify potential problems and facilitate a successful resolution.
− In the event Dublin City Schools believes that a Community Education Unit Officer is not
effectively performing his/her duties and responsibilities, Dublin City Schools should
communicate this information to the Police Department and shall state the reasons
therefore in writing.
− The Dublin Police Department will meet with Dublin City Schools to discuss their
concerns. This information will be considered in reviewing the Community Education Unit
Officer’s performance. Recommendations from Dublin City Schools will be considered
when determining what if any action is taken pursuant to the Dublin Police Department
policies and the collective bargaining agreement.
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IV. Procedures
A. The Community Education Unit Officer’s activity in the school is guided by the following
procedures. These procedures have been drafted in a cooperative effort between the Dublin
Police Department and Dublin City Schools.
B. Duties of the Community Education Unit Officer:
− The primary functions of the Community Education Unit Officer are to help provide a safe
and secure school environment, reduce/prevent crime, serve as an educational resource,
and serve as a liaison between the school and the Dublin Police Department.
− Specific daily assignments to accomplish this function will vary by school. The
Community Education Unit Officer and school principal or designee will meet to discuss
plans and strategies to address specific issues or needs that may arise.
− In addition to these duties, high school and middle school Community Education Unit
Officers will be responsible for teaching the Drug Abuse Prevention Program curriculum.
− As required by law, Community Education Unit Officers should never be assigned to duties
within their schools in place of, or in lieu of a certified teacher.
C. Community Education Unit Officer Uniform:
− Normally, the Community Education Unit Officer is in the uniform of the day and
armed. The standard uniform of the day does not prevent the Community Education
Unit Officer from performing any of the duties involved in the program.
− Occasionally, and with supervisory approval, the Community Education Unit Officer
may wear a Dublin Police Department approved “soft” uniform when presenting
programs such as personal defense or other programs, which are more suitable to this
attire.
D. Community Education Unit Officer Daily Schedule:
− The Community Education Unit Officer in the high schools will normally work from
7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, while those in the middle schools
will normally work from 7:30 am until 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
− These times are contingent upon Dublin City School’s defining specific times for the
school year and are subject to change on a case-by-case basis, with approval from a
CEU supervisor.
− The Community Education Unit Officer is expected to leave information with school
officials regarding their whereabouts when off campus, during the school day.
E. Community Education Unit Officer Absence/Substitution:
− The Dublin Police Department employs seven Community Education Unit Officers.
These Community Education Unit Officers are assigned to schools on a full-time basis
as Community Education Unit Officers.
− There may be occasions when the Dublin Police Department cannot provide a
substitute Community Education Unit Officer in the event of an absence. The
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following procedures will govern how the Dublin Police Department will provide
for these absences:
If any Community Education Unit Officer in a high school is absent for the day,
the Dublin Police Department will normally provide a substitute Community
Education Unit Officer. In cases of pre-scheduled training for the Community
Education Unit Officer, a substitute will only be provided if another Community
Education Unit Officer is available.
If any Community Education Unit Officer in a middle school is absent, the Dublin
Police Department will make reasonable efforts to provide a substitute Community
Education Unit Officer, if staffing allows. In cases of pre-scheduled training for
the Community Officer, a substitute will only be provided if another Community
Education Unit Officer is available.
During unforeseen emergencies, or during scheduled events that place a high
demand on the Dublin Police Department staffing, Community Education Unit
Officers may be scheduled to work in assignments in lieu of their normal school
duties. It may not be feasible for the Dublin Police Department to provide
substitute Community Education Unit Officers in these instances.
The Dublin Police Department reserves the right at any time to permanently re-
assign up to two (2) of the currently identified seven (7) Community Education
Unit Officers as deemed necessary by the Chief of Police. Any such re-assignment
will be preceded by written notification from the Chief of Police to the
Superintendent of Dublin City Schools.
F. Special Events or Activities:
− The Community Education Unit Officer may adjust his/her schedule, with approval
from the Community Education Unit supervisor, in order to accommodate school
activities and requests.
− Overtime or compensatory time may also be approved, in advance, by the Community
Education Unit Supervisor in order to accommodate these activities.
− The Dublin Police Department will make every effort to ensure the assigned uniformed
Community Education Unit Officer attends all varsity football games within the City
of Dublin.
− The Dublin Police Department may elect not to assign a high school Community
Education Unit Officer to a varsity football game if current staffing makes such
assignment impractical.
− Requests for Community Education Unit Officers to attend any other school special
events or activities must be made directly to a Community Education Unit Supervisor.
G. Role in Crime Suppression:
− One of the Community Education Unit Officer’s roles is law enforcement, to include
traditional criminal investigation and report taking.
− As a police Community Education Unit Officer, the Community Education Unit Officer
has the authority to make arrests and use alternatives to arrest at his/her discretion.
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− The following procedures will help the Community Education Unit Officer be as effective
as possible in this role.
− The Community Education Unit Officer shall be informed of all criminal activity, which
occurs on the school campus. The Community Education Unit Officer will also inform the
school administration of all criminal activity occurring on campus to make sure all
interested parties remain informed.
− Typically, for misdemeanor offenses, the Community Education Unit Officer working
cooperatively with the school administration will determine whether formal charges will
be filed. For alcohol or drug offenses, sex offenses, weapons offenses, and any offenses of
violence the Community Education Unit Officer will normally file formal charges.
− For all felony offenses, the Community Education Unit Officer will normally file formal
charges or facilitate the filing of formal charges in cooperation with school administration
and/or other law enforcement personnel.
− When informed of, any felony, sex crime, a criminal offense involving a weapon or
dangerous ordnance, critical incident, or situation that warrants the evacuation of school
property, the Community Education Unit Officer assigned to a school outside the Dublin
City limits shall also adhere to the following guidelines:
• Community Education Unit Officer will personally notify the police department of
jurisdiction or ensure that such contact is made.
• When informed of any misdemeanor offense, other than those listed above, the
Community Education Unit Officer and the school will make timely and appropriate
referrals. The Community Education Unit Officer’s powers to arrest will be governed
by the Ohio Revised Code. If the Community Education Unit Officer does make an
arrest, he/she will contact the police department of jurisdiction as soon as practical to
conduct the ensuing investigation.
• If the Community Education Unit Officer is faced with a situation where he/she could
file delinquency or unruly complaint against a juvenile for any delinquent or unruly
offense that occurs at the school, he/she will first liaison with the police department of
jurisdiction. If the police department of jurisdiction does not object, the Community
Education Unit Officer will proceed with charges.
• If the Community Education Unit Officer learns of any incident which results in a
victim who is a student or who is under the age of 18 years, and the incident meets (or
could meet, after investigation) the elements of a criminal offense, the Community
Education Unit Officer will document the incident on an official Dublin Police
Department Offense/Incident Report, and the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the victim will
be notified by the Community Education Unit Officer Moreover, the Community
Education Unit Officer will advise the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the nature of the
event, and their option to pursue criminal prosecution. In the event, the
Community Education Unit Officer has made an arrest, or the parent(s)/guardian(s)
request official action, the Community Education Unit Officer will conduct the
appropriate referral, reporting, and investigatory measures. Should the
parents/guardian decline official action where there are a crime and victim, the
Community Education Unit Officer may act as the reporting party.
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• Any incident that appears to meet the elements of a criminal offense will normally be
reported using the Dublin Police Department’s Offense/Incident report.
H. Role in Enforcing/Reporting School Policy Violations:
− The Community Education Unit Officer is not a school disciplinarian and normally will
take action only when there is a violation of the law.
− School discipline is the responsibility of the appropriate school administrator.
− The Community Education Unit Officer, as a staff member, will normally report school
policy violations through the proper channels to be handled by the school administration.
− It is the responsibility of the Community Education Unit Officer to become familiar with
the student handbook.
I. Sharing of Information: We recognize that communication and information sharing is essential
to the success of the Community Education Unit Officer program. The following procedures
should be followed to facilitate a free flow of information between school officials and the
Community Education Unit Officer.
− The sharing of information is governed by the Ohio Revised Code, the Ohio Administrative
Code, Ohio’s Public Records Law, and relevant Dublin Police Department and Dublin
School policies.
− Community Education Unit Officers shall not be required or expected to act in a manner
inconsistent with their duties as law enforcement officers. Community Education Unit
Officers shall only inspect or review student records when the Community Education Unit
Officer has a legitimate educational interest in such records or when the records are
necessary to perform the duties under this agreement. Use of confidential school records
by a Community Education Unit Officer is permitted only with the principal’s approval or
as allowed under Dublin School’s policy, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act,
the Ohio Revised Code, and the Ohio Administrative Code.
− Pursuant to an official public records request by the Dublin City Schools, an arrest
information report will be distributed to the school administration by Dublin Police
Department administration on a bi-weekly basis. This report will contain the name of the
student arrested, date of arrest, and nature of the offense. It will be distributed to the Deputy
Superintendent, and all High School Principals or their designees.
− Juvenile fingerprints and photos as part of the arrest record will not be shared by the
Community Education Unit Officer.
− If the Community Education Unit Officer is aware of information on a student that is
officially obtained by Dublin Police Department, which reflects that the student is in
violation of school policies (Student Handbook or Extracurricular Code), the Community
Education Unit Officer may forward that information to school administration.
− If a juvenile is an uncharged suspect in a crime, his/her information will not be released
pursuant to Ohio Public Records Law.
− The information which the Community Education Unit Officer obtains from school
personnel which deals with criminal or possible criminal intelligence will be maintained
by the Community Education Unit Officer as a criminal justice file. This file may be shared
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with other Dublin Police Department personnel and Criminal Justice Agencies, but will not
be part of the student’s school record.
− Any information that is obtained by the Community Education Unit Officer that pertains
to criminal activity occurring on school property located outside the Dublin City limits
shall be relayed to the police department of jurisdiction.
− When any crime or situation occurs that prompts a Public Information Officer response
from the Dublin City Schools or the Dublin Police Department, the Community Education
Unit Officer shall contact his/her immediate supervisor, as soon as possible. The
supervisor shall ensure that the services bureau commander is notified as soon as
practicable thereafter.
J. Chain of Command for Community Education Unit Officers:
− The Community Education Unit Officer is primarily accountable to the Dublin Police
Department’s chain of command.
− While at the school, the Community Education Unit Officer will be additionally
accountable to the principal or his/her designee, as long as doing so will not conflict with
direction from the Dublin Police Department’s chain of command.
− The Community Education Unit Officer is expected to cooperate with the school officials,
including administrators and faculty.
− The Community Education Unit Officer will abide by school policy and respond to the
requests of school officials.
K. Role in Locker, Vehicle, Personal, and Other Searches:
− When requested, the Community Education Unit Officer may assist school administration
in searches of the person(s), property or vehicles, when there is an articulated concern such
as the following:
• A student may reasonably be considered a threat to assault the searcher.
• A student may attempt to escape in a situation in which the student would be a danger
to themselves or a danger to others.
• A student may possess a firearm or knife, a suspicion that may be supported on the
slightest articulated indication, including conclusions drawn as a result of teaching or
law enforcement experience.
• The Community Education Unit Officer may perform searches independent of the
school administration only under the existing provisions of the Ohio Revised Code and
the Dublin Police Department’s General Orders.
L. School K-9 Searches:
− The use of the Dublin Police Department’s K-9 and/or K-9 units from other jurisdictions
in searches of property, lockers, or vehicles at the request of school administrators, will
primarily be performed in an effort to detect illegal drugs, and to enhance the safe learning
environment in the schools.
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− The Community Education Unit Officer will act as a liaison between the school
administration and the K-9 unit(s).
− Prior to the planned use of the police K-9, the Chief of Police and the School
Superintendent will be notified. In exigent circumstances notification may occur after the
use, and as soon as practical.
M. Role in Critical Incidents:
− The Community Education Unit Officer will be familiar with the emergency operations
manual of the Dublin City Schools.
− During critical incidents occurring when the Community Education Unit Officer is present,
the Community Education Unit Officer will normally act as a liaison between school
administration, Dublin Police Department personnel, and other emergency resources, if
practical.
− When practical, the Community Education Unit Officer will participate in fire, tornado and
safety drills in their assigned school(s).
− The Community Education Unit Officer will work collaboratively with building
administration on the creation and implementation of emergency plans for their assigned
school(s).
N. Role in Truancy Issues:
− Truancy will be handled by school personnel.
− Normally, the Community Education Unit Officer will not take an active role in the
tracking of truants.
− The Community Education Unit Officer will act as a liaison between the school and Dublin
Police Department personnel should police involvement become necessary due to safety
concerns.
O. Body Worn Cameras:
- In order to enhance their mission and promote transparency, the Dublin Police
Department has assigned a body-worm camera (BWC) to each SRO.
- Dublin Police policy and procedures direct the use, storage maintenance and
training requirements associated with the cameras.
- Public records requests will be handled by Dublin Police in accordance with
ORC 149.43.
- Absent exigent circumstances or a public records request, BWC footage will
not be shared between the school and police department personnel.
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Signed:
______________________________ Justin Páez, Chief of Police
______________________________ John Marschhausen, Superintendent, Dublin City Schools
REFERENCE:
SRO Contract
CROSS-REFERENCE TO FORMS:
None
REPLACES:
DPD Standalone Directive 44.2.4