Utica district outlines role of police under 2026–27 security contracts

Miss Gower, a district presenter, told a public hearing that the Utica City School District will renew two law‑enforcement contracts for the 2026–27 school year: one with the Utica Police Department to cover middle and high schools and one with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office for elementary schools.

The presenter described the school safety officer role as providing security, intervening in student incidents using de‑escalation techniques, investigating crimes or incidents on or near school property, reporting violations of law and school rules, and acting as a liaison with emergency personnel. She said officers work under the supervision of the police chief or sheriff and in coordination with district administration and the district’s “red shirts” safety staff.

“The most important thing to remember is what’s here in red. That both the UPD and the United County Sheriff’s Department do not play a role in enforcing the Utica School District’s code of conduct. This is the role of the building staff and the administration,” Miss Gower said.

The presenter listed qualifications the district expects of contracted school officers, including New York State police certification, prior law enforcement experience and communication skills for interacting with students and staff. She said the contracts are intended to promote safety, build lines of communication between students and law enforcement, and provide law‑enforcement resources to teachers, administrators and families.

No formal vote or change to the contracts was recorded at the hearing; the presentations were framed as the stakeholder input required by state regulations for districts that contract for law enforcement services.

The board moved next to a separate hearing on school funding rules.