Modesto officer-led Healthy Room Project credits outreach, prompts questions about police role in schools

Detective Sean Dodge, the Modesto Police Department’s school engagement officer, told the Community Police Review Board on April 16 that the department’s officers-in-schools work — supported by a California Violence Prevention (CalVIP) grant — is driven by direct engagement and a collection of community programs, including the Healthy Room Project.

Dodge said the CalVIP grant supports his full-time position and that the grant “entails 7 different schools,” listing Mark Twain Junior High, Robertson Road, Kerstin James Marshall, Burbank, Franklin and Aspire University Charter among sites he works with. He described recurring activities — “10 ks with a cop,” recess and lunch engagement, mentoring, and school events — and highlighted the Healthy Room Project, which refurbishes bedrooms for children who lack basic furniture.

Why it matters: Dodge and department leaders framed the effort as a preventative, community-oriented strategy intended to reduce youth contacts with police by building relationships with students and families. The presentation included claimed school outcome changes the department attributes, in part, to those efforts.

Dodge said the program pairs law enforcement with community partners and local businesses for donations and volunteer support and named Save Mart among corporate partners; he also told the board the department has used asset forfeiture funds and District Attorney support for some program needs. On funding, Dodge said, “The CalVIP grant pays for his position.” He said the current CalVIP grant runs three years and — as presented at the meeting — is scheduled to run through December of the grant term.

Dodge presented school-based outcome figures from Mark Twain that he said show falling suspension rates and rising attendance: “Suspension rates dropped by just over 11% in 2021–22, dropped another 8.45% in 2022–23, and 5% in 2023–24,” he said, summarizing year-to-year declines and telling the board he believes officers’ presence contributed to improved attendance and reduced disciplinary action. He also described the Healthy Foods Project, run with Save Mart, and said the program is receiving nominations from schools and partner agencies such as Sierra Vista and Modesto City Schools.

Board members and members of the public praised the tangible volunteer work and the program’s outreach. Board member Brad Houghton proposed the board consider fundraising help for projects such as Healthy Room; Chair Solorio and Chief Gillespie both signaled departmental support for continuing the program whether or not grant funding is renewed.

At the same time, multiple public commenters and at least one teacher asked for more rigorous evaluation and for the board to consider alternatives to armed officers doing social-support work. A public-school teacher told the board she was “particularly interested in the ‘are we making a difference’ slide” and asked that the program provide more data or an annual report to avoid conflating post‑COVID school reengagement with program effects. Another commenter said, “I’ve never once had a student say they want more cops on campus,” and urged exploration of non‑police alternatives for similar services.

Dodge and Chief Gillespie responded to those concerns during Q&A. They said nominations for bedroom refurbishments come from school administrators, CPS and partner agencies and that participation is voluntary for families. On officer time, Dodge said officers who participate in the programs do so on duty when approved by supervisors, with some additional volunteer participation off duty.

Ending: Board members asked staff to share Dodge’s contact information with board volunteers and said they would consider future support activities. The item closed with a pledge to continue the program and to provide more data as it becomes available.

Votes at a glance

- No formal policy votes were associated with the program presentation; the board recorded questions, public comment, and informational acceptance of the report.