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Council approves renewed SRO intergovernmental agreement; Jefferson County to fund half of officers’ salaries
Summary
The council adopted resolution R25-055 authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with Jefferson County R-1 School District to continue the School Resource Officer (SRO) program; the district will pay 50% of assigned officers’ salaries, resulting in roughly $500,000 in salary savings for the city.
The Arvada City Council on June 17 approved a resolution renewing an intergovernmental agreement with Jefferson County R‑1 School District to continue the city’s School Resource Officer program.
City Attorney Patrick Emerine described resolution R25-055 as a renewal of the longstanding SRO arrangement that places uniformed Arvada Police officers in local schools to provide security, foster relationships with students and staff, and support extracurricular events. Emerine told the council the district will pay 50% of the salaries for officers assigned to the unit and for a sergeant who supervises them, producing an estimated positive fiscal impact for the city of about $500,000.
Commander Ammon of the Arvada Police Department told the council the department currently has nine SRO positions, eight of which are filled, and the IGA allows some leeway to increase or decrease staffing as needed.
Council members praised the program for relationship-building and student support. “They develop relationships with them. They don’t — it’s not just a matter of providing security for the school,” Council member Rupert said, drawing from his experience on the Jefferson County Board of Education. Council member Davis said she has watched students greet SROs in hallways with fist bumps and hugs.
Council member Davis moved adoption of the resolution. The council voted 6–0 in favor; Mayor Pro Tem Mormon was excused. The agreement will continue the SRO program with the district sharing half of the salary costs.
