The school is the first institution beyond
the home with the opportunity to perceive and analyze the
problems with juveniles. It is logical to assume that if the
outward symptoms of delinquency are most discernable at the
school level, then that is the area for detection of
juvenile crime and incorporating preventive measures.
Inasmuch as the school and the police have the greatest
capacity, knowledge, and experience in dealing with the
juveniles, the school resource officer can become an
integral force in deterring juvenile crime.
School resource officers are responsible for all police
related activities involving the school to which they are
assigned. They establish rapport with students, faculty and
the community. The officer will act as liaison between the
school and the police department.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN EAST
PROVIDENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND EAST PROVIDENCE SCHOOL
COMMITTEE
This document represents an agreement between the East
Providence Police Department and the East Providence School
Department to engage in cooperative efforts aimed at the
reduction and eventual elimination of violence in schools.
It is only through this cooperation that we may restore
safety in our schools and promote a secure learning
environment. This effort has been supported and will be
monitored by the Attorney General’s Task Force Against
Violence in Schools.
In order to ensure success, the parties to this memorandum
include superintendents, principals, teachers, school
personnel, school bus drivers, local police, or other school
officials who agree that:
1. All school staff members are under obligation to report
any and all incidents of the possession or use of weapons by
any person on school grounds to the principal, or his/her
designee, and police immediately.
2. All school staff members are under obligation to report
any and all incidents of aggravated assaults on other
persons or school staff to the principal or his/her
designee. The principal, or his/her designee, will determine
whether an assault is aggravated so as to constitute police
involvement. The principal or his/her designee will notify
police accordingly.
3. The principal, or his/her designees, will coordinate all
procedures in these matters with police and will report said
incidents to the superintendent or designee.
4. Upon a report of said incidents, the police department
will conduct an investigation with school officials to
determine what course of action will be taken. School
officials will notify the parents of persons subject to an
investigation immediately.
5. Where appropriate, and in accordance with the
recommendations of the Attorney General’s law Enforcement
subcommittee’s policy, police will pursue criminal action
against said persons.
6. School staff members will cooperate with prosecuting
authorities as persons are charged with such offenses. This
may include testifying information to police and testifying
at proceedings when necessary.
7. The Juvenile Department of the police will record all
such occurrences in a log entitled “Violence in Schools.”
Such record will include the nature of the incident, school
officials and law enforcement efforts and the disposition of
the case, if any.
8. The school will keep a similar running log of all such
incidents.
9. The police department may notify school officials of
disturbances if it appears the persons involved attend the
same school, providing none of the participants have been
criminally charged. The police may notify school officials
the first day following the incident.
10. Any suspensions of weapons or assault incidents must be
reported to the principal immediately. The principal shall
share this information with the local police immediately
when suspicion presents a dangerous situation.
11. School administration and Law Enforcement will share
such important information in prevention of future violence.
12. The procedures contained in this Memorandum should be
consistent with a zero tolerance for violence in schools.
This represents an agreement between Law Enforcement and
School Officials to effectuate an open line of communication
to better deal with and prosecute those persons who pose a
threat to the safety of students in schools.
Adopted: August 1971
Revised December 1972
Revised October 1976
Revised August 1977
Revised May 1984
Revised November 1996
Revised October 2001 |
