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Board approves updated School Resource Officer agreement with Emporia Police Department
Summary
The board approved revisions to the SRO agreement clarifying that the Emporia police chief will make final staffing determinations (with district input), body-worn cameras must be activated for enforcement events consistent with EPD rules, NASRO training will be used, and the SRO (not the chief) is responsible for the annual report; board required EPD to notify the district of future use-of-force policy updates.
The Emporia Board of Education voted to approve revised language in the district’s school resource officer (SRO) agreement with the Emporia Police Department after a presentation by district administrators and police representatives.
Administrators said the changes reflect EPD’s review and aim to clarify responsibilities. Key revisions discussed and accepted by the board include: the Emporia police chief retains final authority over which officer fills the SRO role while district representatives will be involved in the process; examples in the scope of enforcement were clarified so that physical altercations would require SRO involvement; body-worn cameras must be activated for enforcement and would be handled consistent with EPD policies and applicable law; NASRO (National Association of School Resource Officers) training/certification is planned for SROs; and the SRO assigned to a campus, not the police chief, will be responsible for preparing an annual SRO report for the district.
Board members raised questions about scheduling/backfill when a designated SRO is unavailable; administrators told the board that a backup presence could be provided but that a non-SRO officer or security staff might cover arrival/dismissal and that certain SRO responsibilities require trained personnel. The board also secured language requiring that if EPD updates its use-of-force policy, the department will inform USD 253 so the district is aware of changes.
After discussion a motion to approve the proposed revisions and the additional notification requirement passed by unanimous vote ('Motion passes 70').
