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Administration ] [
Personnel ] [
General Operations ] [
Field
Operations ] [
Criminal Investigations ] |
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Applicable
To: All employees |
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Approval
Authority: Chief Richard J.
Pennington |
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Signature: Signed by RJP |
Date Signed: 6/10/09 |
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| Table of Content | |||
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To establish responsibilities and procedures for the School Detectives Unit and other officers who work in conjunction with the School Detectives Unit.
The Atlanta Police Department is committed to providing crime prevention, law enforcement, and related services for the Atlanta Public Schools System in accordance with applicable laws, ordinances, and administrative regulations. The Police Department acknowledges that the services rendered are beyond those which it provides on routine patrols and that the teachers, students, employees, and other persons present in the public school facilities are still entitled to ordinary and routine police protection and services when necessary.
The Department is committed to facilitating mutual respect between the police and all elements of the Atlanta Public Schools by creating a school liaison program that will serve as a forum through which students, parents, faculty and law enforcement officers can become acquainted. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 44.2.4)
3.1 The Chief of Police or his/her designee will select and assign the Unit commander for the School Detectives Unit.
3.2 The Criminal Investigation Division and Investigative Section commanders will monitor the operations of the School Detectives Unit.
3.3 The School Detectives commander is responsible for implementing this directive and for monitoring the compliance of the School Detective personnel with all APD directives. He or she will work closely with the Director of Safety and Security and his or her designated representative(s) to provide appropriate coordination of police and school functions. The commander will be the APD liaison with the Atlanta Public Schools and will coordinate any non-emergency involvement needed from other APD units.
3.4 The School Detectives sergeant is responsible for the direct supervision of investigators and officers assigned to the School Detectives Unit. They also serve as a liaison between the off duty officers and school administrators when needed to ensure proper coordination of expected job functions.
3.5 The School Detectives investigator will serve as a liaison between the School Resource Officer (SRO) and the school administrative staff in preventing delinquency. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 44.2.4)
3.6 All sworn employees (off and on-duty and regardless of rank) will at all times remain part of, subject to, and in direct relationship with the Police Department’s chain of command and comply with the Police Department’s written directives.
4.1 The School Detectives Unit
4.1.1 A specialized unit that addresses public safety issues on Atlanta Public Schools’ properties. All employees will:
1. Individually and cooperatively work with the Atlanta Public Schools personnel and community agencies in the detection and elimination of unlawful, unwholesome, or harmful conditions; traffic hazards, or other conditions, which could endanger the safety and welfare of students and staff.
2. Provide lawful and appropriate law enforcement, crime investigation, and apprehension of those suspected of committing offenses against the person, property, or life of students and staff that occur on Atlanta Public Schools property, at school-sponsored events, or in the ingress or egress from school facilities.
3. Respond to crime detection alarms at the properties owned by the Atlanta Public Schools.
4. Maintain reports and other compilations of incidents, arrests, personal injuries, and property loss at the properties or to individuals in the Atlanta Public Schools.
4.2.1 The School Detectives will perform school liaison activities that provide an avenue in which students, parents, faculty, and law enforcement officers can become acquainted and, as a result, earn mutual respect. School Detective employees will provide the following services:
1. Safety and security services for all Atlanta Public Schools and properties.
2. Twenty-four hour security for all facilities owned and operated by Atlanta Public Schools.
3. Security for extra-curricular activities including athletic events, after school functions, board meetings, community forums, etc. as mandated.
4. Train and brief all off duty Atlanta Police officers hired by the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) to work in the Atlanta Public School System.
5. Guidance in helping local schools develop comprehensive safety plans.
6. Assistance in investigating and reporting illegal activities such as possession of weapons, illegal drugs and incendiary devices while in local schools and other APS facilities.
7. Investigation of all crimes against APS students, staff, and facilities except murder and sex crimes, which will be investigated by the Major Crimes Section.
8. Individual counseling and mentoring activities such as The Explorers Program for high school level students. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 44.2.4)
9. Facilitate presentations for parents, students, school staff and the community that addresses school safety, truancy, vandalism, theft, bullying, stranger/danger, traffic safety, gang activity, alcohol and drug abuse, disruptive activities and other safety related issues of concern. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 44.2.4)
10. Explaining the law enforcement role in society to students and school staff. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 42.2.4)
11. Locating and/or returning students who have run away or failed to return home from school or any other school-related activities. The Special Victims Unit will assist as needed.
12. Provide assistance and guidance to student safety patrol programs that complement those of the school-crossing guards. Investigators will swear-in the safety patrol officer, monitor the program, and provide them with support and advice. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 61.3.6)
4.3.1 The School Resource Officer (SRO) will be employed by APS, and work in an off duty capacity.
4.3.2 The School Resource Officer will work in conjunction with the school administrator in preventing illegal activities on the school campus and in school facilities.
4.3.3 The School Resource Officer will enforce the laws of the State of Georgia and the ordinances of the City of Atlanta.
4.3.4 Although officers will receive their assigned duties from the school principals and/or assistant principals, they will collaborate with the School Detectives Unit on crime and safety issues.
4.3.5 The School Resource Officer will:
1. Enforce all criminal laws, but may not enforce school policies or disciplinary actions resulting from a violation of a school policy.
2. Adhere to all written directives of the Atlanta Police Department when providing police services in the schools.
3. Report and sign in at their respective schools. (SRO’s will be required to use the APS Kronos system where installed.)
4. Report for duty in the uniform as prescribed in APD.SOP.2130 “Dress Code/Uniforms”.
5. Immediately notify the School Detectives Unit’s communications office (Radio # 5700) in the following situations:
a. Weapons violations and/or injuries resulting from the use of a weapon(s);
b. Instances of officers having to use force in an incident;
c. Assaults on a staff member by a student or trespasser; and
d. Any other serious offense affecting the safety of students or staff.
6. Immediately notify the School Detectives Unit’s commander and supervisor when conflicts arise between their law enforcement responsibilities and the tasks assigned to them by the school administrators.
7. Patrol the school buildings and grounds in a highly visible manner remaining alert for safety hazards, illicit activities, and trespassers. Take appropriate enforcement action and report such activities to the principal.
8. Be visible and circulate in areas where school buses load and unload in the morning and in the afternoon. Officers will monitor any strategic area deemed necessary by the principal.
9. Intervene in any incident that requires police services and notify the principal. The principal should be given feedback concerning police actions taken on the school campus and/or in the school building.
10. Assist the school’s administrative staff in those situations where a law enforcement officer is needed and diffuse volatile situations in conjunction with the school administrator before an arrest is necessary.
11. Arrest known perpetrators and prosecute the case in court, where probable cause exists that a crime has been committed.
12. Provide copies of incident reports to the school detective for the school where they are assigned.
13. Ensure that a person arrested on a school campus or in school facilities, is taken to a location away from the general student population.
4.3.6 In all actions taken, decisions and interpersonal communications made, officers will give thought to their position as role models and, as such, will display an appropriate attitude, temperament, and demeanor.
4.3.7 SRO’s will be alert to any gang activity in the school or on the school campus to which they are assigned.
4.3.8 SRO’s will turn all guns, knives, and contraband seized into the Property Control Section.
5.1 The School Resource Officer (SRO): A law enforcement officer placed within the educational environment in an off duty capacity. The officer, while working at a school, will work in conjunction with school administration in a variety of functions aimed at prevention. Along with being an active high profile law enforcement officer, the SRO is a resource for students, parents, teachers, and administration regarding law issues.
APD.SOP.5180 “School Detectives Unit”, issued November 1, 2004
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. 5th Edition Standards 44.2.4 and 61.3.6. |
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