Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School and Rochester Memorial School are hoping to share a full-time dedicated school resource officer, and on May 16, Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee strongly advocated for one before the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee members.
“The things going on today in the schools, you read about in the papers,” said Magee. “…The bullying … the bomb threats…”
Currently, a detective or day officer is sent to the school on an as-needed basis, but this scenario lacks continuity and uniformity, Magee said. For his entire career, the chief added, he has had vast experience working directly with schools and he stressed the value of making that solid connection.
The SRO would serve as teacher, counselor, role model, and advocate for the students, families, faculty, and staff, said Magee. Its “personalized policing,” and he/she would be a recognizable face and approachable resource for the students, strengthening the student/police bond.
During his presentation, Magee handed selectmen and Finance Committee members his memorandum of justification, which read, “The ultimate goal of the SRO program is to maintain and improve the safety of the learning environment in our schools through the reduction and prevention of school violence and drug abuse.”
The benefit also continues into the summertime – the busiest time of year – when the SRO would report for duty as a day officer in town, Magee added.
“So here’s a ‘guy’ in town that’s going to know all these kids, know all these families … it’s kind of a win-win for us,” Magee said.
Magee broke down the schedule and salary for the SRO, who would spend 3.5 days a week at Old Colony and 1.5 days a week at RMS. During school holidays, vacations, and summer break, the officer would report for duty with the police department.
The fiscal year 2017 salary for in-training was calculated at $41,954 plus an educational incentive of $4,195, totaling $46,150. Old Colony would fund $32,305 of it and RMS $13,845. The cost to the town would be $3,000 for tuition, $2,000 for equipment, and an estimated $8,300 in benefits, including medical, life, dental, and retirement.
Magee estimated that some of the schools’ cost burden would include staff adjustments and grant money, although he was not sure on the details or any amounts.
“I think we’re taking reasonable steps at reasonable costs,” said Magee. “I don’t think there’s anybody in this room that could say that this isn’t a wise idea.” He said he would ask the schools to make a two-year commitment and, should the schools decide not to continue with the SRO, that officer would transition into a position vacated by an eventual retirement.
“Sounds like a good idea,” said Selectman Richard Nunes.
Magee specified that he was not seeking a vote that evening; he was just requesting that the selectmen and FinCom members consider his proposal. If the schools move forward, he said he would go before the Fall Special Town Meeting to adjust the police budget to accommodate for the SRO cost.
“We see the school violence on the news every single day,” said Magee. “We’re not exempt anymore. It’s not that nothing goes on in Rochester anymore. Things go on in Rochester.”
In other matters, Selectman Chairman Naida Parker announced that on Friday, May 12, the town received confirmation that the governor had signed into law the special legislation the town filed to ratify the 2015 Annual Town Meeting that was held without a quorum. Now, said Parker, the town can move forward into the 2016 Annual Town Meeting unencumbered.
“That has all been resolved,” Parker said.
“And it only took eleven months,” said Nunes.
The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for May 23 at 6:30 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.
By Jean Perry