Adult School Crossing Guard Policy

Policy & Procedures                 No. 5.02
                                  Subject:
                 Adult School Crossing Guard
                                  Issuing Authority:                                       Effective Date:   Review Date:
                     Chief of Police                       10/01/14     08/03/2023
                                                                                 References:

 Review
 Revision   12/14/2016
 Reissued   01/24/2018
 Dates:     05/07/2020
            12/15/2022

CALEA STANDARDS
 16.4.1 16.4.3  22.2.5  33.7.2  61.3.2  61.3.4

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the selection criteria and training needed to become an
adult school crossing guard in the Town of Canton. All adult school crossing guards will be
under the direct control and supervision of the Canton Police Department.

Adult school crossing guards can play a key role in promoting safe driver and pedestrian
behaviors at crosswalks near schools. They help children safely cross the street and remind
drivers of the presence of pedestrians. A guard helps children develop the skills to cross streets
safely at all times. The presence of guards can lead to more parents feeling comfortable about
their child walking or bicycling to school.

Authority  61.3.4 A; 16.4.1

Crossing Guards are part-time employees of the Canton Police Department and are therefore
authorized by the appointing authority and the Chief of Police to direct traffic and assist
pedestrians crossing roadways. They are not sworn officers and therefore are not authorized to
take law enforcement actions of any kind.

Responsibilities 16.4.1

The adult crossing guard will assist with the safe and efficient flow of pedestrian and vehicular
traffic at assigned locations throughout town, generally located near a school.

     I.     Primary Responsibilities: It shall be the duty of all Crossing Guards to: 61.3.4 A

        1.  Help children safely cross the street, at their designated location, as they walk or
           bicycle to and from school.

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2.  Discourage unsafe behavior of children.
        3.  Establish a safe street crossing point.
        4.  Encourage safe behavior by all pedestrians at the school crossing.
        5.  Alert motorists of the pedestrian crossing area.
        6.  Assist motorists entering or exiting school property.
        7.  Observe and report any unsafe incidents or conditions.

     II.    Secondary Responsibilities:
       Assist with traffic flow and direction

Selection  61.3.4 B

        1.  Candidates for employment as adult school Crossing Guard shall be recruited,
           screened, selected and trained according to the policies and procedures as established
         by the Human Resources office at the direction of the Town Manager.

        2. A candidate for School Crossing Guard shall complete an interview, medical
           clearance and background examination. In order to fulfill the critical functions of this
            job, a Crossing Guard:

                 a.    Must have a good command of the English language. The ability to
                  communicate in other languages common to the community is helpful;
                b.    Must be physically able to stand for long periods of time in extreme
                     weather; and
                 c.    Must have good vision, hearing and mobility;
                d.    Must be a reputable citizen;
                 e.    Must provide the Department with a letter, yearly, from their Doctor
                        stating they are fit to perform the duties outlined in this policy and the job
                       description.
                     f.     Must be able to work approximately two hours per day, Monday through
                      Friday, during the public-school year.

Evaluation
Crossing guards are subject to an annual evaluation, which includes but is not limited to the
following:
                 • Attentiveness to the job;
                 • Attendance;
                 • Uniform appearance;
                 • Job performance.

Equipment and Uniform   61.3.4 C; 16.4.3; 22.2.5 A,C,D

        1.     Crossing Guards shall wear authorized attire that is issued for duty and shall wear
                reflective traffic vests or outerwear that conforms to ANSI standards, when
             performing their duties. Any high visibility retroreflective vests or clothing shall
            meet or exceed ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 requirements.  61.3.1

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2.     Crossing Guards will be issued replacement uniforms and equipment as needed
              but are expected to keep uniform parts clean and pressed.

       Before working their first shift, all newly appointed crossing guards will be supplied with
       the following:
                  -      Windbreaker
                  -      Raincoat
                  -      Reflective traffic vest
                  -     Hand held stop sign

       All uniforms and equipment issued to employees shall remain the property of the Canton
       Police Department and all employees shall keep the same in good working condition and
        repair.

Crossing Procedures

        1.     School Crossing Guards provide traffic direction and control, at specific times, in
              order to ensure the safety of school children traveling to and from designated
               schools.

        2.     Crossing Guards shall not direct traffic in the traditional sense but should assist
             with pedestrians crossing and vehicles exiting or entering the school property.

        3.     Crossing Guards shall use existing gaps in traffic to help students cross safely.
             Crossing should be coordinated with any existing crossing signal lights. The
              guards should follow the following procedure:

                 a.    The guard shall step into the street, remaining vigilant for traffic and
                     unsafe conditions.
                b.    The crossing guard shall verbally direct children to cross the street, when
                                it is safe to do so.
                 c.    When the pedestrians have crossed, the crossing guard shall then exit the
                          street.

        4.    When the natural traffic flow does not allow enough time for children to safely
               cross a street:

                 a.    The guard shall signal traffic to stop using hand signals or a STOP paddle.
                b.    The guard shall step into the street.
                 c.    When conditions permit, the crossing guard shall verbally direct children
                       to cross the street.
                d.    When they have crossed, the crossing guard shall then exit the street and
                       signal traffic to proceed.

        5.     School Crossing Guards should, from time to time, stop by the assigned school
            and consult with the school officials. Any safety issues, change in protocols, or
               other problems should be identified. The School Crossing Guard should then
              share with the Community Liaison Officer any issues that need to be corrected.

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Training 16.3.4 E; 33.7.2

        1.     All crossing guards shall receive training as determined by the Chief of Police.
              Training will include, but not limited to pre-service training; year-start
                familiarization. 33.7.2

        2.     All training received shall be placed in the crossing guards file.

Criteria for Locations Requiring Crossing Guards

        1.    The Chief of Police, or his/her designee,along with the Community Liaison
               Officer and the Superintendent of the Canton Public Schools or his designee, in a
              cooperative effort, shall determine the locations, times and duration of crossing
               posts for Crossing Guards based on an annual documented review administered
            by the Community Liaison Officer and the Chief of Police. 61.3.4 E,F

        2.     In determining such posts, the following criteria at a minimum should be
              considered: 61.3.4 D

                 a.    The age of the children crossing.
                b.     The width of the street and the number of lanes.
                 c.     Sight lines.
                d.     Safe gaps in traffic.
                 e.      Existing traffic control devices, signals, signs, and pavement markings.
                     f.      Traffic speeds and volume.
                g.     Pedestrian volume.
                h.     Accident history of the crossing site.

Crossing Guard Concerns:

At the conclusion of each semester and from time to time as requested, all crossing guards are
required to submit a report regarding the numbers of children crossing at their locations and
long-term concerns at their traffic locations. This report is to be submitted to the Community
Liaison Officer for review. Any immediate concerns should be brought to the attention of the
Community Liaison Officer or the Day Shift Supervisor as soon as practical. 61.3.4 D

Salary and Benefits:
School Crossing Guards are appointed by the Canton Police Department. The Canton Police
Department administers and is financially responsible for funding the position(s). Each School
Crossing Guard will be laid off at the end of the calendar school year and re-hired at the start of
the next school year.

Absence:
In the event of an absence, a Crossing Guard taking a personal day or sick day must contact the
volunteer civilian coordinator who will arrange for coverage of the vacant crossing post.

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