This Memorandum of Understanding is entered into by and between Independent School
District No. 535 (“District”) and the City of Rochester, Minnesota (“City”).
WHEREAS, the District and the City are parties to a School Resource Officer (“SRO”)
Services Agreement in effect from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
WHEREAS, the parties have discussed the need to clarify the SRO Duties and responsibilities
and SRO uniform, as requested by the District’s School Board.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. We are committed to our belief that all people deserve respect, dignity, security, and
justice. We will work hard each day to ensure these rights for all students, families,
and district staff.
2. We have a mutual responsibility to provide a quality education and a safe environment
for everyone in our community.
3. In addition to the duties described in the School Resource Officers Services agreement
under section 2d, the SRO Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
a. SROs will be active members of their assigned schools. SROs will work with
school administrators and district equity specialists to promote safety in the
school environment.
b. SROs will collaborate with school administrators and other school personnel
such as school district counselors, social workers and mental health
practitioners to support positive school climates that focus on resolving
conflicts, reducing student engagement with the juvenile and criminal justice
systems, and diverting youth from courts when possible.
c. SRO’s will meet with students and staff at their assigned home school on a
monthly basis to address concerns of students and families. SROs will provide
similar meetings at schools they are assigned as needed. SROs will provide
educational videos that include topics such as education on law applications
related to their duties that could be used by staff as a classroom resource. SROs
will host family and/or community forums on topics of interest related to the
work of the SRO. The SROs will attend district staff training related to equity
and inclusion, supporting special education students and responding to students
in crisis.
d. As a general practice, unless there is a clear and imminent threat to safety,
requests from school staff for SRO or other law enforcement assistance are to
be channeled through a school administrator.
e. SROs will assist school administrators in developing school crisis response
plans and emergency management protocols. The SRO will facilitate the
effective delivery of law enforcement services and assist with safety, security
and the exchange of information.
f. SROs serve multiple roles in schools. The functions are interrelated, but all are
carried out to contribute to school safety and security and promote positive and
supportive school climates. Key roles are:
i. Civic Engagement and Educator - SROs will strive to assist with
presentations for school personnel on law-related topics such as law
enforcement practices, changes in relevant laws, crime trends, crime
prevention, school safety strategies, and crisis response procedures.
SROs may also deliver law-related education with students using
lessons approved in advance by the School Administration.
ii. Informal mentor and role model - Students often seek approval,
direction, and guidance from adults in the school setting about various
problems. Through formal and informal interaction with students, SROs
serve as informal mentors and role models. SROs are expected to
communicate to students about acceptable and unacceptable behavior,
set a positive example in handling stressful situations, resolve conflicts,
show respect and consideration of others, and express high expectations
for student behavior. SRO interactions with students related to behavior
will not include school discipline related involvement. Students who
may need additional assistance shall be referred to a school-based or
community-based resource.
iii. Law enforcement officer - As sworn law enforcement officers, the
SROs assume primary responsibility for responding to requests for
assistance from administrators and coordinating the response of other
law enforcement resources to the school.
4. SRO Uniforms
a. Both parties acknowledge that an SRO in a traditional police uniform can
trigger an emotional response for some students and staff. The traditional police
uniform can make SROs less approachable, and the uniform can be a barrier to
becoming a trusted adult within the school community.
b. We also acknowledge that, at times, the presence of a uniformed Police Officer
promotes the safety of staff, students, and community members.
c. The decision on an appropriate uniform for an SRO, will be a collaborative
decision between school administration and the Rochester Police Department.
5. Except as modified by this MOU, the parties’ SRO Services Agreement, which
became effective July 1, 2021, will remain in full force and effect. The parties agree
that the additional duties outlined in this MOU will not change the standard set forth in
the SRO Services Agreement with respect to the limited circumstances in which a SRO
will have access to data protected from disclosure under the Minnesota Government
Data Practices Act or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This MOU will
be in effect along with the SRO Services Agreement through June 30, 2022.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have entered into this Memorandum of Understanding on
the dates recorded by their signature. By signing below, each party specifically acknowledges
that it has read this Memorandum of Understanding and that it understands and voluntarily
agrees to the legally bound by all the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding.
CITY OF ROCHESTER
_________________________________ _____________________________
Chief of Police- Rochester Police Department Date
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 535
_________________________________ _____________________________
School Board Chair Date
_________________________________ _____________________________
School Board Clerk Date