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District and Papillion police discuss shared cost for school resource sergeant
Summary
Papillion Police Department and district officials discussed a proposal to create a dedicated school resource sergeant position split 50/50 between the city and Papillion La Vista Community Schools to supervise SROs, lead threat assessment and expand coordination; no board vote was taken.
District leaders and the Papillion Police Department on Feb. 24 discussed a proposal to create a dedicated school resource sergeant to supervise school resource officers (SROs) and strengthen district-law-enforcement coordination. The city and the district plan to split the position’s cost 50/50 under the proposal; the board did not vote on the item and will finish the discussion at a future meeting.
Papillion Police Chief Whitted told the board the role is intended to “enhance the structure, oversight and communication that make our SRO program even more effective.” District presenters described the post as focused on supervision, threat assessment leadership, cross-jurisdiction liaison work and training.
District staff outlined a proposed allocation of duties by time: 25% threat-assessment team leadership, 20% agency coordination and liaison work, 20% school administrator support and district incident-management participation, 15% SRO team coordination, 10% presence at elementary and program facilities, and 10% professional development and planning. Staff said the position would follow the existing memorandum of understanding for the SRO program and would create a single point of contact for the district.
Board members asked about hiring and evaluation. Police officials said the city would retain final hiring authority but welcomed district participation in recruitment and in providing performance feedback. Officials also said the sergeant could help backfill SRO absences, coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions and reduce confusion about which officer handles school-related issues.
Questions from board members included where the sergeant would be physically located, how the sergeant would be involved in hiring and evaluations, and how the position would be used to cover SRO vacancies. City and district representatives said options include locating the sergeant at the police department with regular school visits; no final decision was made.
Board members and staff expressed support for the idea and thanked Papillion Police for proposing the role. The item will return for a decision at a later meeting.
