School Resource Officer (SRO) Policy
Policy text
Source details
Source file: 4.26 School Resource Officer (SRO) Policy.pdf. Policy dates appear on the original cover. Page links use the PDF's page order.
M.G.L. links open the Massachusetts Legislature’s website. Citations with no matching section open the cited chapter directory.
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Policy & Procedures No. 4.26
Subject:
School Resource Officer (SRO)
Issuing Authority: Effective Date: Review Date:
Chief of Police 02/18/2021
References:
Review
Revision 12/12/2022
Reissued
Dates:
CALEA STANDARDS: 11.2.1, 16.2.1, 16.2.2, 21.1.2, 33.6.1, 44.2.4
ACTION ITEMS: 14 JUV-01 Task 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7 Task 2
Table of Contents
Topic Page
I. Definitions 2
II. Purpose and Scope 2
III. Policy 3
IV. Policy Review and Updating 3
V. Authority and Chain of Command 4
VI. Goals and Objectives 6
VII. SRO Duties and Responsibilities 6
VIII. SRO Supervision 10
IX. Police Investigations 10
X. Search and Seizure 12
XI. Arrest Procedure 13
XII. School Administrative Hearings 13
XIII. SRO Selection Process 14
XIV. SRO Position (Job) Description 15
XV. Limitation on Sharing of Student Information 15
XVI. Mandatory SRO In-Service Training Program 17
I. Definitions:
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School Resource Officer (SRO): a duly sworn Canton Police Officer with all necessary
training, up-to-date certificates, including special school resource officer certification as
required by subsection (b) of section 3 of chapter 6E or a special officer appointed by the Chief
of Police charged with: 33.6.1 (2A)
o (i) providing law enforcement;
o (ii) promoting school safety and security services to elementary and secondary
public schools; and
o (iii) Maintaining a positive school climate for all students, families and staff.
o For the purpose of this section, a school resource officer shall be exempt pursuant
to subsection (j) of section 10 of chapter 269, while serving in the officer’s official
capacity. [Carrying a firearm in a School]
SRO Certification: The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission
shall have the power to issue a specialized certification for an individual acting, or intending
to act, as a School Resource Officer [SRO], as defined in section 37P of chapter 71 of the
MGLs; 33.6.1 (2A)
• Provided, however, that a person shall not be appointed as a School Resource Officer,
as defined in said section 37P of said chapter 71, unless specially certified as such by
the POST Commission.
• Notwithstanding any General or Special Law to the contrary, a person who is appointed
as a School Resource Officer, as defined in section 37P of Chapter 71 of the
Massachusetts General Laws, as of the effective date of this act may continue in such
appointment without receiving a certification to serve as such pursuant to subsection
(b) of section 3 of chapter 6E of the General Laws; provided, however, that they shall
receive said certification by December 31, 2021. JUV-01 Task 1.7
II. Purpose and Scope:
The protocols and procedures stipulated in this policy are applicable to all the participating
schools in the Town of Canton. We remain committed to the continuing success of the
SRO Program always stressing the ongoing respect and confidence that we are able to earn
and maintain from the students, their parents and the school administration, faculty and
staff of all the schools in the town. The integrity of each officer of this department, as well
as that of the organization as a whole, is absolutely necessary for students, their parents
and teachers to give us their unwavering trust and confidence. Without this requisite trust,
we cannot expect to form the necessary partnerships that we need to optimize our success
at each school. Fundamental to building this trust within our entire school district is the fair
and equitable treatment of all individuals (regardless of their lawful status); whether
student, parent, faculty or staff, all persons shall always be treated with highest level of
dignity and respect.
As a role model, the SRO is compelled to always present themselves in a professional
manner. Through their appearance and actions, the SRO leads by example through their
day-to-day contact with students, parents and staff members. They treat everyone in a
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positive manner that is respectful, fair and consistent regardless of race, national origin,
citizenship, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.
III. Policy:
It is the policy of the Canton Police Department to institute a School Resource Officer
(SRO) Program in conjunction with and at the request of the Superintendent of the Canton
School System. JUV-01 Task1.2 The purpose of the program shall be to (i) provide and
foster a safe and healthy environment for all students through the strategic and appropriate
use of law enforcement resources, (ii) to achieve positive outcomes for youth and public
safety where learning can prosper and (iii) to ensure that no student’s right to receive an
education is abridged by violence, the threat of violence, harassment, bullying or
intimidation. The SRO has the primary responsibility for providing police services to the
school community and assisting in the development and implication of programs and
activities to promote crime prevention and public safety objectives. The SRO is a liaison
between the police department, school administration, students, parents, city departments,
local youth organizations, and other agencies within the community. 44.2.4
Note: School Resource Officers shall not: Task 2
(i) serve as school disciplinarians, enforcers of school regulations or in place of
licensed school psychologists, psychiatrists or counselors; and
(ii) use police powers to address traditional school discipline issues, including non-
violent disruptive behavior.
IV. Policy Review and Updating:
In furtherance of continuing reviewing and updating this SRO Policy, the Chief of Police,
in consultation with the School Superintendent, shall establish operating procedures
pertaining to the duties and responsibilities to provide guidance to the School Resource
Officers about their daily operations, policies and procedures. At a minimum, the operating
procedures within this policy as established by the Chief of Police, shall describe the
following for the School Resource Officer: JUV-01 Task 1.4
(i) the School Resource Officer uniform; 44.2.4 (5A)
• The SRO shall wear the regulation Canton Police uniform and when
available operate a marked police vehicle while on duty unless
otherwise directed by a supervisor. The SRO has an option of wearing
the BDU Uniform with the CPD colored golf shirt with the approval of
the Community Services Division Commander.
(ii) use of police force, arrest, citation and court referral on school property; See
Sections VII & XI.
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(iii) a statement and description of students’ legal rights, including the process for
searching and questioning students and circumstances requiring notification to
and presence of parents and administrators;
See Sections IX, X, & XI.
(iv) chain of command, including delineating to whom the school resource officer
reports and how school administrators and the school resource officer work
together; See Section V.
(v) performance evaluation standards, which shall incorporate monitoring
compliance with the memorandum of understanding and use of arrest, citation
and police force in school; [Pending Statewide MOU] 44.2.4 (5E)
(vi) protocols for diverting and referring at-risk students to school and community-
based supports and providers;
(vii) and information sharing between the School Resource Officer, school staff and
parents or guardians. See Section XV.
V. Authority and Chain of Command: 11.2.1
As a law enforcement officer, the School Resource Officer (SRO) is responsible to the
Chief of Police through his/her supervisory chain of command and is subject to adhere to
all Canton Police Department Policies.
SROs also have what is referred to as a “secondary” chain of command while on duty at
their assigned school. As an employee of the Canton Police Department, their primary
chain of command begins within their assigned Division (Community Services Division)
starting with their assigned Sergeant and progresses up the chain to the Lieutenant, and to
the Chief of Police.
Because they work within the schools, the SRO is also considered a member of the
school staff. Therefore, their secondary chain of command begins with the assistant
principal(s) of the School Resource Officer's assigned school and progresses to the
Principal of the School to the Canton Superintendent of the School District.
• The Canton Police Department recognizes and respects the authority
of the principal, and his or her designee, to be the primary leader and
manager of each applicable school where an SRO is assigned. The
SRO, however, has the authority and responsibility to ensure proper
decisions are made in reference to crimes, crime scenes, and any
incidents that pose a serious threat to public safety.
• During any law enforcement-related event on school grounds, the
SRO will consult the principal or designee with law enforcement
decisions being made to resolve the incident, when feasible. During
any law enforcement-related event, it may become necessary for the
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SRO to temporarily take charge of the incident and/or school grounds
to protect the integrity of the investigation and/or crime scene, and
ensure the safety of the students and staff, until properly relieved. The
School Resource Officer Program will be commanded by a lieutenant,
selected by the Chief of Police and supervised by a sergeant – both of
the Community Services Division.
• All Canton Police Department SROs will be sworn as certified police
officers by the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training
Commission (POST) and receive such additional SRO Certification as
required by POST. As such, the SROs shall possess the same statutory
and common law authority and powers of arrest as any other state or
local law enforcement official regardless of whether they are on or off
school property.
• When performing the duties of a police officer in the school
environment, the officer shall have an understanding of the
administrative responsibilities the school has in resolving
misbehavior.
• The SRO will be familiar with the student handbook of their
respective assigned school.
• Conduct and interactions with students should be of a quality that
reinforces positive self-image, self-esteem, and professionalism.
VI. Goals and Objectives:
The Canton Police Department's School Resource Officers intend to provide law
enforcement services and law-related education to the designated schools within the
Canton School District. The SROs also act as liaisons between the schools, the
community and the Police Department, as well as various agencies such as Department of
Children and Families (DCF), the District Court Juvenile Probation Department, and
other intervention and counseling resources.
Some of the more important significant goals and objectives shall include:
• To keep our schools safe and secure, so that teachers can teach, and students can
learn.
• Provide students with a positive role model through the exhibition of Departmental
values.
• Interact with students in a setting that builds self-esteem and trust and reinforces the
police as positive role models.
• Interact with students, faculty, community, parents, and civic leaders to promote
positive relations.
• Provide a classroom resource for instruction, if and when needed.
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• Educate students about the law and the importance of individual responsibility as well
as teambuilding and cooperation within our community.
• Serve as a resource for the students, teachers, and parents.
• Serve as a primary resource to students who are victims and suspects of unlawful or
harmful activity in order to deter and protect them from further harm.
• Partner with the faculty and administrative team to teach the importance of good
safety practices through various educational programs.
• Provide an active law enforcement figure on school grounds to deal with any law and
safety/public order issues that may develop and take the appropriate enforcement
action when necessary.
VII. School Resource Officer Duties and Responsibilities: 44.2.4 (5C)
1. The SRO serves as a visible deterrent to crime and a positive representative of the
Canton Police Department to students, faculty and staff. The SRO shall conduct
visible patrolling of the exterior and interior grounds, particularly during the
opening and closing of school.
2. The SRO shall assume primary responsibility for handling all calls for police
service and coordinating the response of other police resources to the school’s
buildings, grounds, and surrounding areas.
3. Criminal activity that comes to the attention of the principal or school staff shall be
reported immediately to the police department and assigned to the SRO unless such
criminal activity requires additional personnel resources.
4. The SRO shall meet at least weekly with the school principal for the purpose of
exchanging information about current crime trends, problem areas, or other areas
of concern which have potential for disruption in the school or within the
community, and shall be sensitive to the need for confidentiality in certain
circumstances.
5. The SRO shall be responsible for monitoring the social and cultural environment
to identify emerging youth gangs that may be a threat to the learning environment
of the school and the safety of the students and the general public
6. Any information concerning unlawful street gangs that is germane to a specific
unlawful incident or to the prospect of unlawful activity shall be forwarded to the
Bureau of Criminal Investigations Unit (BCI).
7. The SRO may make formal presentations to, or participate in, school-based
community organization meetings such as the Parent Teacher Association and
School Advisory Council meetings, with prior approval of the SRO Supervisor.
Participation in other activities such as panel discussions, mentoring programs,
Annual Summer Youth Academy and community coalitions or task forces must be
approved by the SRO supervisor assigned to the Community Services Division.
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8. Coordinating programs conducted in the schools by other Divisions of the Police
Department to avoid redundant services and to ensure equitable distribution of such
programs and activities.
9. Provide for the disposal of illegal substances recovered by the school and not
needed for criminal prosecution.
10. Be familiar with and abide by Canton Public School and Canton Police Department
Rules and Regulations and Policies and Procedures.
11. As a general rule, SROs will not get involved with the enforcement of school rule
violations or act as a disciplinarian unless there is a violation of the State law as
well.
12. The SRO, when available, will assist in conducting investigations for other crimes
off of school grounds that may have a direct effect on a student or the school
community.
13. The SRO, when available, will be the designated case officer for crimes committed
at their assigned school. This means the SRO will then complete the investigation
and all the necessary follow-up investigatory case work. This may include the
collection of evidence and interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects.
14. When necessary, the SRO may make an arrest, detain and or hold those suspected
of a crime in police custody as prescribed by state law and Department policy. Some
serious crimes require specialized expertise or logistical support to investigate.
Under these circumstances, an appropriate detective from CID will be assigned as
the case officer. The SRO will then assist the detective, and function as the liaison
between the victim, the school staff, and the Department.
15. The SRO shall address parking and traffic concerns that affect the school and
surrounding community.
16. The SRO may conduct and or coordinate traffic enforcement details to encourage
compliance with State and local traffic laws.
17. The SRO will coordinate with school staff to promote crime prevention programs
and enhance the police/community relationship with the surrounding
neighborhoods. This may be accomplished by requesting additional police units to
conduct foot, bicycle or vehicle patrol of the school grounds and adjacent areas.
18. Conduct classroom instruction on prevention and education on appropriate subjects
to high school students, faculty, and staff, in accordance with the Department
mission statement, utilizing approved lesson plans by the SRO Supervisors and
School Administration.
19. Take appropriate action for any on-sight situations requiring police attention.
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20. Act as a liaison and resource between the law enforcement community, other
governmental agencies and the school.
21. Interacting with students to promote and reinforce the development of basic life
skills and personal control and responsibility for one's actions.
22. Conduct investigations involving threats to the school building and/or students. The
main function of the SRO is to be on school grounds during school hours. Follow-
up investigations may be conducted; however, these should generally be conducted
after school hours.
23. The SRO may leave the school grounds during school hours on certain follow-up
investigations only when the factor of time is deemed to be of the essence and then
only with the appropriate supervisory approval while always notifying the police
department and the principal of the necessity of the pending investigation and the
temporary absence. The SRO may participate in school conferences, especially
when potential delinquency is a factor.
24. The SRO may have input into intervention and preventive strategies and
community resources available.
25. Participate in special assignments related to Departmental activities such as point
control for major events.
26. Inform the school administration of current student criminal involvement and
criminal trends that affect the safe environment of the school, as needed. It is also
recommended that the SRO maintain a relationship with the Juvenile Probation
Officer of the District Court.
27. Perform preventive patrol for students in route to and from school. Attention will
be directed to observations pertinent to the safety and well-being of children.
28. Interact with the uniform patrol officers in order to share information and work
together on matters of mutual concern.
29. Attend special events as necessary to interact and prevent problems.
30. Participate in various Department-sponsored and endorsed activities that foster a
positive relationship between the students and the SRO.
31. Maintain contact with the SRO Supervisor in order to facilitate administrative
needs.
32. Attend scheduled meetings of all assigned SROs that may be established by the
supervisors for information exchange and resolution of special problems.
33. Provide their supervisor with daily activity sheets, on a weekly basis.
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34. Be responsible for the proper vehicle use and maintenance as outlined in Directives
and in the Department Policy.
VIII. School Resource Officer Supervision:
The Chief of Police has designated the Commander of the Community Services Division as
the Supervisor of all SROs.
The SRO Supervisor shall meet with the SROs on a regular basis.
The SRO Supervisor shall meet with the school principal where an SRO is assigned as follows:
1. Prior to the start of the school year to review school-police department expectations
and clarify any operational procedures.
2. Mid-year to evaluate the performance of the SRO and to identify and resolve any
developing issues and to improve the effectiveness of the assignment.
3. At the conclusion of the school year to review the program and suggest any and all
recommendations for improvements or changes. 16.2.1
IX. Police Investigations:
A.) In appropriate circumstances where the assigned SRO has either reasonable suspicion,
reasonable belief or probable cause that a crime has, is or is about to have been
committed or that a public safety emergency exists, shall have the authority to take the
appropriate police enforcement action without the prior authorization or approval of
the school principal or contacting the involved parents, keeping in mind at all times
the requisite balance that needs to exist in the educational environment of the school.
The investigation and questioning of any student during school hours or at school
events should be limited to situations where the investigation is directly related to the
school.
The school principal shall always be notified as soon as practical of any significant
enforcement events by the SRO. The SRO should coordinate activities so that any
action that is taken between agencies is cooperative and in the best interests of the
school and public safety.
The SRO shall provide information to the appropriate investigative units of any crimes
or leads that come to the attention of the SRO bearing in mind the statutory limitations
of information sharing via MGL Chapter 71 Section 37P and Section XI below.
B.) Criteria For Emergency/Non-Emergency Calls:
The following criteria set forth are designed to act as a guide. In most cases, the SRO
will take disposition of a call for service at their designated assigned school.
However, when booking is necessary or eminent, a patrol officer will be dispatched to
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the school to handle the transport and the booking of the juvenile. For all situations
that require immediate police response, the SRO designated schools should call 911
and then page, text or call the SRO.
Listed below are some examples of situations that require an immediate police
response:
• Immediate life-threatening emergency (medical or otherwise);
• Large fight in progress;
• Unruly and disruptive crowds;
• Disruptive parent who will not leave voluntarily;
• Bomb threats;
• Child abuse (in progress and threat to the welfare of child};
• Crime in progress where the protection of evidence is essential, or the
apprehension of the violator is possible;
• Safety hazards (i.e., chlorine, natural gas leaks);
• Assaults (with serious injury) For the following situations that require
police services but where time is not of the essence, the school should
call or text the SRO assigned to the school and advise them of the
situation. The SRO can then take the information for the police report
the next time the SRO is at the school;
• Mandatory Reporting Law (c.119-51A);
• Break and Entry (where the school is the victim and evidence may be
present);
• Vehicle breaks where the victim is on scene and standing by.
For those situations that require police services but do not require an immediate response,
the school should call, or text the SRO assigned to the school. If the SRO is not able to
respond, the school should call for an on-duty Day Shift Patrol Officer.
Listed below are some examples of situations that do not require an immediate response:
Note: Students who are found to be in possession of illegal contraband or drugs,
and the item has been confiscated (contraband must be placed into evidence the
same day)
• Theft (no suspects, no witnesses available)
• Assaults (which are over and under control with little or no injury, or
where students have already been sent home, no suspects, no witnesses
are available.)
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• Threats or intimidation (no suspects, no witnesses.)
• Malicious/Wanton damage to property (no suspects, no witnesses are
available)
• And any other incident of a minor nature, status offense, City
Ordinance violation, etc.
X. Search and Seizure:
The School Resource Officer must follow Departmental Policy and respect the School's
policy in conducting searches. The rules of criminal evidence apply in school exactly the
same as they apply under normal circumstances. The school administration cannot be
used as an agent to search a student's locker.
The school administrator has the authority to search a locker prior to there being a
confirmation that a crime has been committed. Once an SRO is aware of a potential
crime, the SRO must brief the SRO Supervisor and obtain a search warrant for a student's
locker.
Unless EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST, or you have CONSENT, get a warrant.
Impound and Chain of Custody
The seizure of drugs and evidence on school property must be dealt with immediately. If
an SRO seizes drugs or obtains evidence, they will immediately contact Emergency
Communications Center and have a Patrol Officer or Detective respond to the school and
collect the property for impoundment at Police Headquarters pursuant to Department
policy. SROs will not place the property in their office or assigned vehicle at any time
other than in the process of completing the required paperwork and/or during
transportation to HQ. Once an SRO comes in contact with seized property, they will
maintain immediate control until that property is released to the assisting officer.
Search and Seizure by School Officials
School officials may conduct searches of students’ property under their jurisdiction when
reasonable suspicion exists that the search will reveal evidence that the student has violated
or is violating the law or the rules of the school.
The SRO may stop an individual when there is reasonable suspicion that a criminal act has,
is or is about to be committed and may pat frisk that person if the officer has reasonable
suspicion that the person may be armed in accordance with Departmental Policy and
Procedures, 1.07, Stop & Frisk-Threshold Inquires.
The SRO may only conduct what constitutes a search based on probable cause and in
accordance with Departmental Policy and Procedure, 1.08, Search & Seizure.
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The SRO shall not become involved in administrative (school related) searches unless
specifically requested by school officials to provide security, protection, or for handling of
seized contraband:
• These searches must be at the direction and control of the school official and not
the SRO.
• At no time shall the SRO request that an administrative search be conducted for
law enforcement purposes or have the administrator act as the officer’s agent.
XI. Arrest Procedures:
The following procedures shall be adhered to whenever an arrest of any student or staff
becomes necessary:
• The arrest of a student or employee of the school with a warrant should be
coordinated through the principal and accomplished after school hours
whenever possible.
• Persons whose presence on school grounds has been restricted or forbidden or
whose presence is in violation of the law shall be arrested for trespassing.
• Arrests of students or staff during school hours or on school grounds shall be
reported to the school principal as soon as practical.
• SROs will adhere to Department Policy on Juvenile Operations, for information
pertaining to interviews and interrogations.
XII. School Administrative Hearings:
The SRO shall make themselves available to attend any suspension and/or expulsion hearings
upon request of the school principal.
The SRO shall:
1. Be prepared to provide testimony on any actions that were taken by the officer and any
personally observed conduct witnessed by the officer.
2. Make available any physical evidence in the possession of the police department.
3. Unless otherwise arranged, it will be the responsibility of the SRO to transport and
safeguard any physical evidence, such as a weapon, that is needed at the disciplinary
hearing.
XIII. SRO Selection Process: 44.2.4 (5D)
The selection process is the most critical aspect of the SRO Program and shall be conducted
as follows: JUV-01 Task 1.3
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• In assigning a School Resource Officer, the Chief of Police shall assign an officer
that the Chief believes would strive to foster an optimal learning environment and
educational community that promotes a strong partnership between school and
police personnel.
• The Chief of Police shall give preference to candidates who demonstrate the
requisite personality and character to work effectively with children, youth and
educators in a school environment with a demonstrated ability to work successfully
with a population that has a similar racial and ethnic background as those prevalent
in the student body, and who have received specialized training relating to working
with adolescents and children, including cognitive development, de-escalation
tactics, as defined in section 1 of chapter 6E and alternatives to arrest and diversion
strategies.
• The job announcement shall be posted by the Community Services Division
Commander on the City’s Outlook E-Mail System and mentioned at the various
roll calls for each Patrol Division Shift. 16.2.2
• Any Patrol Officers that are interested in the SRO position shall submit a written
request via an email (on an attached Word Document) stating their specific
reason(s) for seeking this important position and representing the Canton Police
Department in one of the Schools.
• Each candidate will be scheduled to appear before a selection board consisting of
members designated by the Chief of Police and the School Superintendent for an
in-person interview to determine whether each candidate is qualified for the
position.
• All candidates shall be notified in writing of the selection board’s final decision.
• The appointment shall not be based solely on seniority.
• The performance of a School Resource Officer shall be reviewed annually by the
Superintendent of Schools and the Chief of Police.
• If there are insufficient resources to provide an SRO, then consultation with the
MSP to get an SRO assigned will be done. JUV-01 Task 1.6
XIV. SRO Position (Job) Description: 21.2.2
A. Policy Summary
The School Resource Officer (SRO) has the primary responsibility for providing
police services to the school community and development and implementation of
programs and activities to promote crime prevention and safety objectives. The
SRO is a liaison between the police department, school administration, students,
parents, city departments, youth organizations, and other agencies within the
community.
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B. Duties and Responsibilities {See Section VII For a complete list)
The SRO is a sworn Town of Canton Police Officer assigned to provide the law
enforcement expertise and resources to assist school staff.
C. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
The School Resource Officer must have excellent oral and written communications
skills, the ability to work with diverse groups, possess exceptional conflict
resolution skills, be a creative problem solver, be available for after school
functions, and have a good knowledge of Juvenile Laws and Juvenile Court
procedures.
D. Qualifications:
1. A minimum of three (3) years as a Canton Police Officer.
2. Minimum of an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice Law
Enforcement or a degree in a related field of study is preferred.
3. A spotless police employment record with no disciplinary action.
4. Successful completion of a MPTC School Resource Officer
Training Program.
5. SRO Certification approved by POST.
XV. Limitation on Sharing of Student Information
o School department personnel and School Resource Officers, as defined in section 37P of
Chapter 71 of the MGL’s, shall not disclose to a law enforcement officer or agency, including
local, municipal, regional, county, state and federal law enforcement, through an official report
or unofficial channels, including, but not limited to, text, phone, email, database and in-person
communication, or submit to the department of state police’s Commonwealth Fusion Center,
the Boston Regional Intelligence Center or any other database or system designed to track gang
affiliation or involvement, any information relating to a student or a student’s family member
from its databases and other recordkeeping systems including: JUV-01 Task 1.1
o (i) immigration status;
o (ii) citizenship;
o (iii) neighborhood of residence;
o (iv) religion;
o (v) national origin;
o (vi) ethnicity; or
o (vii) suspected, alleged, or confirmed gang affiliation, unless it is germane to a specific
unlawful incident or to a specific prospect of unlawful activity the school is otherwise
required to report.
Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit the sharing of information:
[Exceptions]
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(i) for the purposes of completing a report pursuant to section 51A of chapter 119; (ii) upon the specific, informed written consent of the eligible student, parent or guardian; (iii) to comply with a court order or lawfully issued subpoena; (iv) in connection with a health or safety emergency pursuant to the provisions of 603 C.M.R. 23.07(4)(e)*; or *Note: “A school may disclose information regarding a student to appropriate parties in connection with a health or safety emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. This includes, but is not limited to, disclosures to the local police department and the Department of Social Services under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 71, section 37L and M.G.L. c. 119, section 51A.” (v) for the purposes of filing a weapon report with the local Chief of Police pursuant to section 37L of Chapter 71 of the MGLs. XVI. Mandatory SRO In-Service Training Program 33.6.1 (5); 44.2.4 (5B) Pursuant to MGL Chapter 6 Section 116H: (a) The Municipal Police Training Committee shall establish and develop an in-service training program designed to train School Resource Officers [SROs], as defined in this policy and section 37P of chapter 71 of the MGLs. Such program shall include training on: (i) the ways in which legal standards regarding police interaction and arrest procedures differ for juveniles compared to adults; (ii) child and adolescent cognitive development, which shall include instruction on common child and adolescent behaviors, actions and reactions as well as the impact of trauma, mental illness, behavioral addictions, such as gaming and gambling disorder, and developmental disabilities on child and adolescent development and behavior; (iii) engagement and de-escalation tactics that are specifically effective with youth; and (iv) strategies for resolving conflict and diverting youth in lieu of making an arrest. Such program shall also include training related to: (i) hate crime identification and prevention training curriculum including acquisition of practical skills to prevent, respond to and investigate hate crimes and hate incidents and their impacts on victim communities; (ii) anti-bias, anti-racism and anti-harassment strategies; Page 15
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(iii) bullying and cyberbullying; and
(iv) comprehensive training to help school resource officers interact
effectively with school personnel, victim communities and build public
confidence with cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
(b) The course of instruction, the learning and performance objectives and the curriculum
and standards for training developed pursuant to this section shall be developed in
consultation with experts on child and adolescent development and child trauma and with
educators and attorneys experienced in juvenile and education law and preventing and
addressing youth hate crimes.
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