Council approves school resource officer agreement with Westminster School District, district to reimburse city

The City Council voted unanimously (5–0) on March 26 to approve a cooperative agreement with the Westminster School District to fund one full‑time School Resource Officer for local schools. Under the agreement the school district will reimburse the city for the SRO’s fully burdened cost: staff cited a 14‑month total cost figure of $237,216 that covers an overlap period (2 months in the current fiscal year and 12 months in the next fiscal year).

City staff said the SRO is an existing funded position within the police department; the agreement formalizes reimbursement terms so the district covers the officer’s wages and fringe benefits. The police chief explained the figure represents a fully burdened, top‑step officer including retirement, workers’ compensation, insurance and other pay types; staff compared that figure to an entry‑level fully burdened cost they estimate at about $151,000.

Council discussion emphasized school safety and community benefit. Vice Mayor Manzo praised the district’s commitment and noted benefits to students and relationships built by officers on campus. Several councilmembers asked whether the district could afford more SROs; staff said the district is prioritizing one officer now but may expand "if the district chooses to fund additional positions." The agreement also adds a limited provision to allow the SRO to appear with a department service dog on campus within policy limits.

The council approved the agreement and related budget adjustments to record revenue and expenditures for the reimbursement amounts in the current and next fiscal years and authorized the city manager to execute the agreement.