Sheriff’s Office outlines multiple agreements and equipment purchases including three-year SRO contract with North Thurston

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office staff briefed commissioners on four items slated for the business agenda: a three‑year contract renewal with North Thurston School District to provide a school resource officer (SRO); an agreement with the Washington State Department of Corrections to reimburse up to $10,000 for Department of Corrections participation in the county narcotics task force; an interlocal cooperation agreement with Lacey Fire District 3 to reimburse medics deployed with the county SWAT team; and a single‑source purchase of grappler systems funded in part by a Department of Justice grant.

SRO contract renewal: The sheriff told commissioners the county has jointly provided an SRO to Nisqually Middle School for about six years and recommended renewing the contract for three additional school years (2025–26, 2026–27 and 2027–28) at the same contract rate of $95,000, paid by North Thurston School District. Commissioners asked about statutory reporting requirements related to SRO programs. The sheriff and county staff said statutory reporting responsibilities fall primarily to the school district; the sheriff confirmed deputies assigned as SROs maintain logs of contacts and interactions and that SRO training (basic and advanced) is provided through the Criminal Justice Training Commission. Commissioners asked whether a memorandum of understanding exists; the sheriff said the operational details are coordinated with the school district and that deputies’ training records and logs are maintained by the sheriff’s office and shared with the district as appropriate.

Narcotics task force: Staff described a contract with the Department of Corrections to reimburse up to $10,000 for DOC officers’ participation in the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force. The funding reimburses after‑hours participation that assists the county task force, which relies on partners to conduct investigations outside normal hours.

SWAT medics: An interlocal cooperation agreement would add Lacey Fire District 3 medics to the county SWAT deployment arrangement. Two medics from Lacey Fire District 3 were selected and the interlocal would document their participation and reimbursement arrangements so Medic 1 can reimburse the fire district for costs.

Grappler systems purchase: The sheriff requested approval for a single‑source purchase of grappler systems from Stock Enterprises totaling about $20,200 (+/‑10%), citing prior grants and a recent DOJ grant that provided funding to acquire two more grappler systems and deployment nets. Once installed, county staff said nearly 30 vehicles will be equipped.

Staff said the sheriff’s items will appear on the county business agenda for formal action later the same day or at an upcoming meeting.