Wayne County School Resource Officer Program

1. Wayne County School Resource Officer Program Sheriff Barry Virts Wayne County Sheriff’s Office 7376 State Route 31, Lyons, NY 315-946-9711

2. Wayne County Schools’ School Resource Officer Program History The New York State Police had a Community Oriented Policing Services Grant from 2005 – 2009 that funded 99 School Resource Officers in NYS. From 2005 – 2009 the NYSP assigned seven (7) troopers to Wayne County Schools. In 2009 the COPS Grant ran out and the NYSP redeployed the troopers to other duties.

3. In 2010, the Sodus Central School District in partnership with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office received a Century 21 Grant that funded a SRO for the 2010 – 2014 school years. What did we learn? Wayne County Sheriff’s Office SRO Program - Filling the Void

4. Year 1

5. Year 3

6. Perceptual Data: “Fighting is a problem at this school”

7. Attendance Ratio

8. Other Data…

10. MORE RECENT DATA:Student Surveys at North Rose – Wolcott 2015-2018 • 10% increase in likelihood to ask SRO for help • 10% increase in student belief that an SRO reduces violence in school • General improved understanding in the role of an SRO

11. NRW Middle Schools Do NOT feel safe at school With SRO – 18.8% Without SRO – 28.0% Often or Always Enjoy Being in School With SRO - 46.4% Without SRO – 38.3% Who would you ask for help? With SRO - SRO or Other Police – 57.7% Without SRO – SRO or Other Police – 52.1% With SRO - Would not ask for help/don’t know where to get help – 23.1% Without SRO- Would not ask for help/don’t know where to get help – 39.8%

12. NRW High Schools Do NOT feel safe at school With SRO – 17.0% Without SRO – 28.0% Often or Always Enjoy Being in School With SRO - 34.1% Without SRO – 31.6% Who would you ask for help? With SRO - SRO or Other Police – 44.3% Without SRO – SRO or Other Police – 29.0% With SRO - Would not ask for help/don’t know where to get help – 30.6% Without SRO- Would not ask for help/don’t know where to get help – 42.8%

13. GENERAL EXPERIENCE NOTES • SRO’s are not a magic solution • SRO’s contribute to a team in a unique way; they have a valuable skill set and perspective • When combined with other interventions, the presence of an SRO can be a catalyst for improved school culture and climate • The presence of an SRO communicates to people that safety is a priority

14. Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts’ Position “Everyday our Wayne County School Districts host roughly 15,000 students and staff members in the eleven school districts around the county. It is my vision to provide a School Resource Officer to every school district in the county by this Office and/or with the assistance of other law enforcement agencies to provide safety and security to our most vulnerable population and sites.”

15. It is essential that the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office members, the Deputy Sheriff School Resource Officer and school district employees and students remember that in the execution of their tasks, duties and functions act for the good of the school, the community and public. They shall respect and protect the rights of individuals and perform their work and services with honesty, zeal, courage, discretion, fidelity and sound judgment. Wayne County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Mission Statement

16. Wayne County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Duties Four Key Components • Supervision and Monitoring • Intervention • Education, Prevention and Safety • Investigation and Enforcement

17. Supervision / Monitoring • Arrival: At the school before the buses arrive to meet and greet the students • Passing Time: In the hallways while students are heading to classes and defuse problems if they occur at that time • Lunches: Checks all the schools in the district and attend lunch periods helping staff with the supervision in the lunch rooms • Monitors school events as requested (sporting, prom, concerts, etc.) • Assist teachers in the classrooms if needed

18. Intervention • Attend meetings with the administrators about the students that need help • Assist with navigating county agencies (DSS, Child Protective and Probation PINS Program) • Work with school counselors to assist students • Checks on truant students by going to their residence for a home visit with the school counselors • Assists and help parents with child related issues as needed and necessary

19. EDUCATION, PREVENTION and SAFETY • Develop positive relationships with all students, especially those at-risk • Provides a conduit to county/state resources • Links students with law enforcement interests to Explorer Programs • Works on school safety plan, safety audits and monitors lockdown drills • Connects school safety plan to emergency response agencies • Monitor students on and off the school buses • Presents educational programs; Technology and Crime, Computer Safety, Bullying, Bike Safety, Driver Safety, Dignity for All Students Act and Workplace Safety annually to students, school employees, parents and school board members

20. Investigation and Enforcement Investigates complaints as needed and if necessary.

21. School Resource Officer Cost • School Resource Officer for 10 Months • 1.0 FTE (40 hours/week for 10 months) • Salary $41,440 • Benefits $15,564 • Vehicle, Uniforms and Equipment $9,800 • *Total $66,804

22. Why the Asterisk? • The salary and certain benefits of the deputy sheriffs’ are subject to collective bargaining. • The deputy sheriffs’ collective bargaining agreement expired December 31, 2015. • In the event that a collective bargaining agreement is ratified by Wayne County and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Police Officers’ Association bargaining unit, it is understood and agreed that the WCSO shall not be required to provide services unless, by written Addendum to this Agreement, the parties modify this Section to reflect the new salary and benefits costs to be incurred by the County as an outcome of collective bargaining.

23. QUESTIONS?

24. CONTACT INFORMATION Sheriff Barry Virts Wayne County Sheriff’s Office 7376 State Route 31 Lyons, NY 14489 315.946.9711 bvirts@co.wayne.ny.us

25. Thank You!!