Police tell board SRO program to be suspended for 2025–26; officers to maintain school presence

The East Windsor Police Department told the school board it will suspend its dedicated School Resource Officer (SRO) assignment for the 2025–26 school year because the officer who had been assigned left the agency and collective-bargaining rules prevent immediate replacement.

Chief reported that Officer Valencia Lindsay left on July 11 and that under the collective bargaining agreement an officer must have two years of service before taking a special assignment such as an SRO. "We made a determination to write the letter to superintendent that we want to suspend the program. In no way do we want to get rid of the program," the chief said, adding the decision is driven by an employee issue and eligibility rules.

The department said it will not abandon school coverage. "One of the functions of our community service officer is going to be basically our adjunct SRO," the deputy chief said, describing a model in which the community officer checks in each morning at the high school and coordinates with the school secretary, security director Nelson, and principals. The deputy chief added that officers will continue to attend mentoring, DARE and Read Across America events and will respond to criminal matters and investigations as needed.

Officer Sam Sanchez, the department's community police officer, was identified as the primary interim contact in schools; the department said Sanchez checks in daily and will continue DARE instruction this summer and into the coming school year.

Board members pressed for assurances that routine school programs would continue; the police department replied that DARE and other student-facing activities will proceed with Officer Sanchez and other officers as appropriate. "You are going to get an officer," the deputy chief said, and the chief reassured members, "this will not affect our ability to be at the kids in basketball," a comment offered lightheartedly to underscore ongoing presence.

The chief said the department will run a hiring/interview process and expects to identify and train an eligible SRO to start in January or to more formally restart the dedicated SRO assignment for the 2026–27 school year when more officers meet the eligibility criteria. The department and district agreed to use the coming year to refine SRO duties and strengthen the partnership.

The board did not take formal action beyond receiving the update and asking clarifying questions; the police representatives left the meeting after their presentation.