Council approves MOU to place Baton Rouge police officers in parish schools after public opposition

The Metropolitan Council on Aug. 6 approved a memorandum of understanding authorizing the mayor-president, on behalf of the Baton Rouge Police Department, to enter an agreement with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System for reimbursement of BRPD personnel costs associated with furnishing school resource officers (SROs) for the school year.

Supporters said the officers will supplement school safety efforts and be deployed at the start of the school year. Opponents raised concerns about vague language in the draft MOU, parental rights and a prior allegation of assault by a school resource officer in the parish.

Reverend Anderson, who spoke during public comment, urged the council to pull the item. “I specifically am in opposition to this item for several reasons. Besides the fact that this is in a rather vague MOU that assigns unnecessary responsibilities and roles and gives very little of any power to either parents, particularly parents with special needs children,” Anderson said, referencing a past incident and describing the document as “legally questionable.”

Baton Rouge Police Chief Odell said the department’s intent is to “put resource officers back into our schools” with officers who would help with safety and student interactions. He described the role as assisting school administrators and addressing “outside forces that find their way onto the schools.” Odell confirmed the officers would be commissioned, armed Baton Rouge police officers and would operate only inside BRPD jurisdiction.

Council members pressed the chief for details the MOU did not contain. Councilman Dunn Jr. asked for the purpose and timeline; Odell said the department hopes to start “with the school year” and that officers are being prepared to cover critical transfer locations and the first days of school. When asked about the number of officers or how many schools would participate, the chief said those figures were not yet available but that staff could provide them.

Councilwoman Harris, who moved the motion to approve, and Councilwoman Coleman, who seconded, said they supported the measure. Harris cited prior positive experiences with officers assigned to schools: “There’s a young man... who’s been at a STRUMA... what kind of impact this young man has had on the students.” The motion carried.

The MOU as approved establishes reimbursement terms for BRPD personnel costs but, as presented at the meeting, did not specify the number of officers, school assignments, or an implementation schedule in the public packet. Several council members and the chief said those specifics could be provided by staff on request.

The council vote: motion by Councilwoman Tuana Harris; second by Councilwoman Carolyn Coleman. The motion carried.

The council did not adopt an amendment altering the text of the MOU at the meeting. Council members asked staff to supply more detailed numbers about staffing and school coverage before officers are deployed.