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 **How to Write a Compelling Memorandum of Understanding for your School Resource Officer Program** August 2019 | Volume 12 | Issue 7
  What is an SRO?    Click the image for a larger version
 Right now, in schools around the country, the presence of  law enforcement is expanding like never before. But what governs these new arrangements?  For that matter, what is governing the arrangements of existing programs? As school  resource officer (SRO) programs around the country look inward at the important  work that they do, examining the memorandum of understanding (MOU)—the guiding  document for the SRO program—is essential. An MOU can do a variety of things. On a basic level, it can  serve the function of a “business agreement” clarifying the financial  arrangement between a school district and law enforcement agency—in other  words, who is covering the expenses for the SRO program. But a good MOU will go  further than just the business agreement. It should outline and articulate the  many best practices that SRO programs need to incorporate, including language  about defining roles, selecting and training officers, engaging with the  community, and more. MOUs are not one-size-fits-all; they are agreements that should  emerge from a collaborative process that includes stakeholders from education,  law enforcement, and the wider community. This process can establish a common  vision that meets the needs, goals, objectives, and safety challenges of the  school and its community. It may even reference standard operating procedures (SOP)  for the law enforcement agency working in the schools. In addition, MOUs should  allow for adaptation to the evolving needs and goals of the community Using an MOU checklist  to guide the process One way to strengthen the MOU for the SRO program is to use  a checklist to guide its development or revision. Such a checklist can serve as  a benchmark to prompt more complete consideration of the SRO program, which  will be documented in the new or revised MOU. The checklist should be a guide for the process the  partnership should undergo in developing a thorough and vetted document that  guides the school-based law enforcement partnership. According to the National Association of School Resource  Officers (NASRO), many of the items below are “mandatory” topics for SRO  program best practices. These topics—which can be referenced in the MOU—come directly  from NASRO’s Standards  and Best Practices for School Resource Officer Programs. The examples below  are brief for purposes of illustration. A thorough discussion should take place  between the law enforcement and education partners about each item to reach  agreement on them. MOU checklist **Mission.** The mission  section should define the overarching purpose of the SRO program (e.g., to promote  school safety and improve the educational environment). Some MOUs build on the  mission by adding goals and objectives. The mission/goals/objectives statement should  outline the purpose and expected outcomes of the SRO program.*Example: The Police Department  and School District, in order to ensure an efficient and cohesive SRO program,  will build a positive relationship between law enforcement, students, and school  employees. The goal of the program is to reduce crime, create a safe school  environment, and provide a law enforcement resource to school administrators,  teachers, and students.*
       
          **SRO roles and  responsibilities.** Consider NASRO’s mandatory and recommended  roles by reviewing the topics listed in the MOU section of its standards and  practices. Included in the MOU should be a statement about the roles the SRO  will NOT carry out, e.g., enforcing school discipline rules that are the  prerogative of the school administrators.*Example: SROs act in  accordance with the recommended TRIAD roles of law enforcement officer,  teacher, and informal counselor/mentor but do not enforce school rules or  policies or become involved with matters that are strictly school discipline  issues.*
       
          **SRO supervision and  evaluation.** The MOU must spell out a clear chain of command for  the SRO program. It is important for everyone to understand to whom the SRO  reports.*Example: The day-to-day  operation and administrative control of the SRO program will be the  responsibility of the Police Department.*
       
          **SRO selection.** SRO programs are built on the selection of qualified officers, chosen for their  integrity, maturity, and willingness and ability to work with students and  educators. The MOU should clearly spell out the selection process and include  opportunities for input from school and community partners.*Example: The SRO position  will be filled according to the Police Department selection process. The Police  Department will make the final selection of any SRO, in consultation with the  School District.*
       
          **Training.** The  document should make a statement about the basic and specialized training that  SROs must receive.*Example: The SRO position is  considered a specialized assignment within the Police Department, requiring specialized  training.*
       
          **Engagement with the community.** School safety is co-produced by law enforcement and the school community  working collaboratively with community partners. Working with the broader  community in proactive fashion is something that SRO programs support, but few  MOUs actually make statements about building partnerships with community  partners and how these partners can support and extend the school safety  mission.*Example: All parties involved  in the SRO program will continually work on building and expanding existing  community partnerships that help support the mission of safe and healthy  schools. These community partnerships will provide resources that can help  students (and their families) get the supports youth need to stay in school.*
       
          **Information sharing.** Information sharing is an essential issue to understand in the implementation  of SRO programs. The purpose of information sharing is to help those with a  legitimate interest to gain and share information they need to support a  student. Different rules and regulations govern information sharing.*Example: It is the  understanding of both the School District and Police Department that  confidentiality and a student’s right to privacy are of the utmost importance  in the administration of these services. Therefore, student records shall be  kept confidential in accordance with all applicable laws and professional  standards.*
       
          **Tracking SRO activities with  data.** Data collection is an important role for SRO programs to  carry out.*Example: To help monitor  progress toward achieving safe schools, SROs will collect and provide data  related to school safety.*
       
          **Expenses.** This section identifies how the SRO program costs are divided.*Example: “The School District  is responsible for payment to the Town in the amount of $XXXXX to reimburse the  Town for a portion of the SRO’s salary.”*
       
          **MOU review and revision.** It is important to clarify any issues between the school and law enforcement  agency on a regular, ongoing basis. In addition, it is helpful to define who  should review the MOU, and how often.*Example: The School District  and Police Department should review the agreement on an annual basis.*
       
          **Signatures.** Completing  the MOU requires that the partners determine who must sign the agreement.  Additional signatures may be needed from others in the town/city/county. Conclusion Whether creating a new MOU or revising an existing MOU,  school–law enforcement partnerships can find it helpful to use a checklist to make  sure that their essential guiding document includes a variety of important  ingredients. In that way—in the words of Ed Negron, former SRO supervisor and  current Director of School Safety for Milwaukee Public Schools—"the MOU  will be the most helpful and comprehensive tool as the partners work in good  faith toward the common goal of building the most positive relationship between  police and youth.” John Rosiak, Principal, Prevention Partnerships
          Rosiak Associates, LLC **Memorandum of Understanding Fact Sheet** Tweet
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