Adopt-A-School Program

Policy & Procedures                 No. 1.42
                                  Subject:
                Adopt-A-School Program
                                  Issuing Authority:                                       Effective Date:   Review Date:
                     Chief of Police                       09/19/14     01/14/23
                                                                                 References:

 Review
 Revision   08/04/16
 Reissued   09/12/18
 Dates:     07/26/20
            09/12/22

CALEA STANDARDS
44.2.4

     I.    Background
     As part of its youth services programs, the Canton Police Department’s Adopt-A-School
      (AAS) Program maintains a police presence in the Town of Canton’s public elementary
       schools.

    II.     Policy
      The Adopt-A-School Program shall function according to the guidelines delineated in
        this policy.

      The AAS Program shall consist of a team of officers that are each assigned to a specific
       elementary school in town; one officer per school. They are assigned to perform
       specialized functions within their designated schools, but most importantly to serve as a
        liaison between the police department and the school’s administration and student body.
       44.2.4

      The AAS Team shall be a component of the Family Services Unit (FSU) and shall be
       under the direction of the FSU Supervisor.

    III.   Goals
      The goals of the AAS Program are to:
         -   Streamline police services in the schools
         -  Enhance school safety
         -   Provide appropriate safety training for students
         -   Provide positive role models for students
         -   Establish close working relationships between officers and school staff, and
         -   Create positive relations between the Department, school staff, students and their
            families.

             Canton Police Department’s Adopt-A-School Program             Page 1

IV.    Guidelines
   The Adopt-A-School Program shall operate as follows:
     -  An AAS Officer will be assigned an elementary school of their own. He/she will be
       responsible for performing AAS functions at his/her school while school is in session.

     -   Officers will perform their regular AAS duties in addition to regular patrol. Officers
       are encouraged to stop into their designated school while on shift, as often as
        possible.

     -  An AAS Officer must get prior approval by the FSU Supervisor prior to working any
       overtime (for example, attending a field trip with the students).

     -  AAS Officers will work in conjunction with the School Resource Officers and the
       Juvenile Detective.

V.   AAS Officer Responsibilities 44.2.4
  AAS Officers are responsible for:
     -   Acting as Department liaison to their school, its students, parents and staff;
     -  Developing a good working relationship with school administrator and staff;
     -   Preparing and presenting safety-related programs at their school;
     -   Providing regular safety checks at their school while on duty;
     -   Addressing crime and disorder problems that adversely affect the proper learning
       environment of their schools;
     -   Assisting in crime prevention activities that may reduce crime in or around their
       school;
     -   Participating in activities such as having lunch with students, assisting at recess
        periods, etc.;
     -   Attending school social and sporting events, school council and PTO meetings as
       necessary; and
     -   Assisting in the investigation of crimes committed by any person(s) within their
       school or on school property.

VI.    Classes
    All safety programs taught by AAS Officers will follow a curriculum approved by the
  ASS Coordinator and will include a lesson plan.

    All programs presented by AAS Officers must also receive prior approval by the school
    principal.

VII.   Routine Notifications
      Whenever an officer submits a report that involves an elementary school or a youth
        that he/she has determined is a student at a particular elementary school, the officer
        will forward a copy of the report to the AAS Officer assigned to that school.

          Canton Police Department’s Adopt-A-School Program             Page 2

VIII.  Emergency Notifications
      The Department recognizes that AAS Officers are a unique resource regarding their
       assigned school and the school’s staff and students.

      Whenever a serious critical incident occurs at a school to which an AAS Officer is
       assigned, the Shift Supervisor shall immediately notify the appropriate AAS Officer
       of the incident and request he/she respond to the scene. The AAS Officer shall
       respond whenever possible, reporting to the Incident Commander and providing all
       possible assistance.

IX.      Compensation
     AAS Officers will receive overtime pay or compensatory time for any AAS work
       performed outside of their daily scheduled shift.

X.       Available Positions
     When an opening becomes available for an AAS Officer’s position, a notification will
      be made to the entire department. Officers working any combination of day shifts
        will be eligible to send a letter of interest to the FSU Supervisor for consideration.
      The FSU Supervisor will make his/her recommendation to the Chief. The Chief will
      make the final decision on which officer to choice as the replacement.

          Canton Police Department’s Adopt-A-School Program             Page 3