Council discusses adding a school resource officer at alternative high school; police describe training and role limits

Alderperson Close raised item 13 and asked the police chief to brief the council on plans to add a school resource officer (SRO) at the alternative high school. The alderperson said the topic had been prominent in public discussion and asked the chief to outline measures to ensure students are protected and that officers are appropriately integrated into the school environment.

Police Chief Zempel replied that Sheboygan’s approach differs from Texas, where state law requires officers in every school, and emphasized the department’s partnership with the district. "The understanding is that school resource officers are reserved for crimes where students have been victimized or where students are hurting others," Zempel said, describing SRO duties as focused on reported crimes rather than routine school disciplinary matters.

Zempel added the department has provided training for about 14 years "on ensuring that we police in fair and impartial ways," including implicit-bias training, and that new SROs are required to attend training recommended by the National Association of School Resource Officers. He said the partnership with the district clarifies roles and responsibilities around school safety.

Alderperson Decker expressed support for expanding the SRO program and noted that SROs sometimes provide support in elementary schools as needed, describing the program as a community-connection benefit.

The discussion occurred in the context of the consent agenda; the consent agenda including item 13 was ultimately approved by unanimous roll-call vote. No formal policy change or separate ordinance was adopted at the meeting beyond approval of the consent agenda items as presented; council members indicated any formal changes would follow the usual review and committee process.