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Applicable To: All sworn employees |
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Approval Authority: Deputy Chief E. N. Finley |
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Signature: Signed by ENF |
Date Signed: 3/18/2010 |
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1. PURPOSE
The intent of this memorandum is to establish the policies and procedures for the proper operation of the City Wide Truancy Initiative.
It will be the policy of each zone Truancy Unit(s) to implement proactive and informed anti-truancy mechanisms within the zone as a method of crime prevention and early intervention for “at-risk” youth.
3.1 It will be the responsibility of the officer(s) assigned to the Truancy Unit to establish positive working relations with the Atlanta Public School System and social service agencies in the area specializing in youth crime prevention.
3.2 It will be the responsibility of the zone commander(s) to enact policies outlined in this memorandum to ensure requisite follow through on the part of the Truancy Officer.
4.1 The zone truancy officer(s) will work in conjunction with the respective school detective(s), social worker, school police officer(s), as well as the truancy intervention specialist and Fulton County Juvenile Court in order to develop a comprehensive list of the youth with chronic unexcused absences. From this list the officer(s) and school detective(s) will identify the youth with a criminal background, active probation status, and known gang affiliations.
4.2 The zone commander(s) will identify two high schools and three middle schools from which the list will be drawn. All juveniles from Forest Hills Academy will be considered “at-risk”.
4.3 The youth(s) determined to have criminal backgrounds, gang association, active probation, or other behavior indicative of at-risk status will be placed on a comprehensive list. This at-risk list will be comprised of data assessed from court records, school social workers, absentee lists, and information given from school officials. There shall be a minimum of ten juveniles placed on this list with whom the Truancy Officer(s) will become familiar in the performance of his/her duties.
4.4 The zone truancy officer(s) will establish and maintain a positive working relationship with school principal(s), assistant principal(s), teacher(s), social worker(s), and counselor(s) in an effort achieve a mutual goal of deterring truancy. The at-risk list will be shared with these individual and the school detective(s) will act as a liaison in developing this relationship when requested.
4.5 The zone truancy officer(s) will work closely with the zone gang liaison and zone investigator(s).
4.6 Once established, the at-risk list will be audited every nine weeks by the zone Truancy Officer(s) upon conferring with the Truancy Intervention Specialist, Social Worker, and other relevant parties. Once established, the at-risk list will be audited at the beginning of every new school semester but updated as necessary and appropriate.
4.7 The zone truancy officer(s) will maintain a copy of the at-risk list within a notebook. The truancy book will also contain information on area gangs, family situations, and other observations as the truancy officer(s) deems relevant.
4.8 The zone truancy officer(s) will obtain a copy of the attendance list every morning from the selected schools.
4.9 The Zone truancy officer will maintain a copy of this list within a truancy notebook. This notebook will also contain information on area gangs, personal notes and observations, and any other information as the Zone Commander deems relevant.
4.10 Every school morning the truancy officer will obtain a list of absentees from each respective school in any manner convenient to the school and the officer. The truancy officer will then evaluate the list of absentees against his/her list of at risk youth assigned to the school.
4.11 The truancy officer will notify the beat officer(s) of absentee children in the area who are at-risk.
4.12 A copy of the at-risk and adjudicated delinquent list will be given to criminal investigator(s) who will evaluate the list to determine relevant increases in crime and similarities with potential suspects.
4.13 The truancy officer(s) will assist the beat officer(s) in locating delinquent children and acting as a liaison between the zone and school detectives.
4.14 Truancy Officers will meet with their respective commanders to identify the need for city wide sweeps.
4.15 School Detectives will be provided with a list of all repeat truancy offenders established by the school truancy officer. School Detectives will provide assistance as necessary in the apprehension, investigation, and follow-up of repeated truant offenders.
4.16 School Detectives and Truancy Officers will only act in their capacity as law enforcement for acts that are in violation of City or State law. However, Officers may assist school officials as needed through officer presence in the enforcement of school policies wherein a City or State law violation may occur.
4.17 Students are considered Truant when they physically leave school property. Students leaving school property in violation of the prescribed protocol and without proper documentation will be challenged by any officer fulfilling a law enforcement role within the school.
4.18 Every student picked up for Truancy violations will be placed on the ICIS system with their school and legal guardian’s information. The ICIS system will also be checked when a student is picked up for truancy to determine repeat offenders and check consistency of the information provided by the student.
4.19 The Zone will establish an existing supervisor to provide proper oversight of this directive. This supervisor may be the Zone Administrative Sergeant, the Day Watch Lieutenant, or the Assistant Zone Commander as selected by the Zone.
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6. CANCELLATIONS
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O.C.G.A 20-2-699 Atlanta City Ordinance 106-229 (a) and (d) APD.SOP.5180 “School Detectives”, dated June 8, 2009 |
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