The existing School Resource Officer (SRO) program was comprised of four special officers funded by the City of Garden Grove. Special officers are not full-time sworn police officers, they are the equivalent of reserve police officers.  With the recent retirement of two special officers, there are currently two special officers remaining on the program.  On a daily basis, the four special officers provided police services to approximately 20,000 students in the City.  The SRO program is responsible for safety and crime prevention in the Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD).  Beyond law enforcement, SRO’s also serve as educators, emergency managers, and informal counselors.

Moving forward, the Police Department’s vision for the SRO program is that it be comprised of five full-time sworn police officers and a sergeant, who would collaborate and work closely with the GGUSD administration.  The enhanced SRO unit would become a specialty unit that would require a testing process to select the right officers for the program.  The testing process would include a review of the officer’s experience, education, technical competence, performance record, as well as an oral interview.  A member of the Garden Grove Unified School District would assist in rating the officers during the testing process.   

Officers that are assigned to the new enhanced School Resource Officer program would be allowed to work in the unit for a total of three to five years.  A benefit of having this mandatory rotation is that it minimizes employee fatigue and it ensures that the unit is made up of officers who are energetic, passionate, and skilled in working with students, school administration, and the community. 

The SROs would be more than just a law enforcement presence on campus.  The expectation is that they would also provide classroom instruction on law enforcement and safety related materials.  They would assist school leaders in developing and practicing emergency disaster protocols.  The SROs would serve as a role model to students and build positive relationships with GGUSD staff and community members.  This would be accomplished by the SRO being more visible on campus and therefore being more accessible to the students and staff.  The SROs would continue their monthly meetings with the intermediate and high school principals to discuss gang and graffiti issues, as well as any other law enforcement concerns. 

The success of this program will be accomplished by having a partnership between the Garden Grove Police Department and the Garden Grove Unified School District.  Regular meetings between police department personnel and GGUSD will take place in order to determine the roles, responsibilities, and expectations for the program.    

As of this date, the annual cost for one full-time police officer is $230,837 (salary and benefits).  The annual cost for one full-time police sergeant is $283,000 (salary and benefits). The Garden Grove Police Department is proposing that the City cover the costs of one police sergeant and two police officers.  GGUSD has agreed to cover the cost for one full-time police officer in FY 2019-20 (July 1-June 30), which will enable the program to start with three SRO’s and one sergeant during the 2019-2020 school year. GGUSD has also agreed to cover the cost for an additional full-time police officer in FY 2020-21 (for a total of two SRO’s funded by GGUSD) and potentially a third full-time police officer in FY 2021-22 (for a total of three SRO’s funded by GGUSD). 

The GGUSD will cover the cost of one full-time police officer for Fiscal Year 2019-20 ($230,837 as of the date of this Cooperative Agreement), and the cost of two full-time police officers in Fiscal Year 2020-21 (for a total of two SRO’s funded by GGUSD).  GGUSD will reassess the program and potentially cover the cost of three full-time police officers in Fiscal Year 2021-22 (for a total of three SRO’s funded by GGUSD).  The City's cost related to the program has been included in the proposed biennial budget for FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21. The GGUSD will reimburse the City for their share of the program costs.  

It is recommended that the City Council:

•  Approve the Cooperative Agreement with the Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) to establish an enhanced School Resource Officer Program and provide five full-time police officers and a sergeant to service five high schools and seven intermediate schools of the GGUSD in Garden Grove, from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022, with the option for additional biennial terms starting July 1, 2022; and

• Authorize the City Manager to execute the Cooperative Agreement on behalf of the City, and make minor modifications as appropriate thereto.