Responsibilities of the Coordinator of Safety and Prevention

• Oversees, coordinates, and directs the planning, development and implementation  of comprehensive programs addressing the safety and security needs of the school  district
• Directs security officers and monitors to meet school district needs
• Develops and administers organizational procedures designed to maintain security and safety
• Oversees the investigation of all incidents and accidents involving the students, schools, and school personnel
• Plans and directs security audit inspections
• Establishes and interprets policies and procedures for all safety activities including crisis management, drug, alcohol, and crime prevention
• Recommends Security Policies with the Superintendent of Schools
• Serves as the Safety and Health Designee for the district
• Oversees VADIR reporting system

School security guards, also known as school safety officers, maintain order on school district property. They are not police officers, and the role does not involve the responsibility to enforce state or local laws or to apprehend violators. Rather, when a crime is involved notify police or report the occurrence to the appropriate school officials.

Special requirements: Must be licensed as a NYS Security Guard. Section 89-G of Article 7A requires all persons engaged in security guard activities be registered with the New York Department of State (DOS), and complete all training (unless exempt) at schools approved by the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The following training courses are required:

• 8 Hour Pre-Assignment Training-A general introductory course. You must complete this course and submit a copy of the certificate issued to you with your security guard application.
• 16 Hour On-The-Job Training (OJT)-A course relevant to the duties of guards, requirements of the work site, and the needs of the employer. You must complete this training within 90 days of employment as a security guard.
• Annual Training Requirement: 8 Hour Annual In-Service Training-This course must be completed each calendar year you hold a security guard registration. Your registration is issued for two years, therefore, you must complete two 8 hour annual In-Service training courses within your registration effective and expiration dates to be eligible for renewal

School Security Guard Duties

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Patrols buildings and checks windows, doors, and entrances to ensure security
• Protects/guards the teachers, students, administration, and other school employees and property
• Provides assistance in emergency situations
• Prepares incident reports
• Investigates unusual conditions/disturbances and  notifies the appropriate individual when warranted

What is a School resource Officer (SRO)?

*Definition provided by the New York State School Board Association:

The SRO’s primary duty is to protect the school’s environment and to maintain an  atmosphere where students, teachers and staff feel safe. SROs should be specially  trained and receive regular professional development regarding school systems, student  populations and developing relationships with school administrators, teachers and  students. In this role, the SRO can be an educator, law enforcer and counselor. As an  educator, the SRO can visit classrooms and teach students concepts of safety and crime  prevention techniques. The SRO can provide a positive image of law enforcement in an  effort to help young people make constructive choices in their lives. As a law enforcer,  the SRO can investigate criminal activity occurring on school campuses in accordance  with New York State law and school district policies. As a counselor, students may come  to the SRO to discuss issues and seek individual attention. The SRO can also be available  for conferences with students, parents, and staff regarding law related concerns.

School Resource Officer Requirements

School Resource Officers face many licensing requirements before they can  qualify for the job. SRO's must be accredited as police officers, which in itself is a rigorous process. Typically, in the State of New York, police officers are appointed and attend the Basic Course for Police Officers at a regional  academy. A typical course consists of a mix of police officers from a variety of  police departments and sheriff's offices in that region of the state. The Basic  Course for Police Officers currently consists of a minimum of 649 hours.

After this licensing requirement, School Resource Officers must attend further  training with the Criminal Justice Services Youth Service Training department.  This is an intensive course that prepares a police officer to work in an academic  environment so that officers will be able to function more effectively in schools. Training includes academic organizational structure, counseling, handling special needs students, violence in the school, gang activity, creating  drug free schools and crisis management.

School Resource Officer Duties

• Peer Mediation for conflict resolution
• Safety instruction for students and parents (substance abuse, Internet safety,  bullying prevention)
• Conference with school staff to assist regarding law enforcement and criminal issues
• Attendance at parent, school safety, and other required meetings
• Liason with community agencies and organizations that assist youth and families
• Assist Principal and Administration in developing plans and strategies to prevent or minimize dangerous situations in schools
• Maintain a vigilant eye and ear in the community as a preventative measure
• Respond to emergency situations in the school
• Initiate law enforcement action if necessary

NOT school disciplinarians. They are not involved in disciplinary actions that do not constitute violations of the law.

Monitors play an important role in the School District

One of the major roles of a hall monitor is to provide supervisory assistance to create and enable a safe and orderly environment for students as well as accommodate the educational needs of the children.

• Assists teachers in supervising recess periods
• Supervising lunch periods in the cafeteria
• Oversees students in the hallways between periods
• Guides children across streets and intersections
• Encourages the improvement of student achievement

Key trainings in the 2019-2020 school year:

• Violence Prevention Training
• AED/CPR/First Aid
• Safe Talk Suicide Alertness Training
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
• New Drug Trends
• Technology Addiction
• Mindfulness and Trauma Informed Care