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to rehabilitate the youth to create an environment where they do not repeat their past mistakes. He <br /> specified violent felonies and drug sales as examples where it would not go through the Diversion <br /> Program. <br /> In response to Councilmember Arkin, Chief Swing confirmed the youth clinician with the just-approved <br /> crisis response team will be the one utilized in these situations. He noted the crisis response team had <br /> not been approved before the MOU was drafted, but it will be the responsibility of one of the clinicians <br /> to provide the initial assessment in place of the SRO. <br /> In response to Councilmember Arkin, Chief Swing clarified students are arrested for misdemeanors but <br /> they are usually not placed in handcuffs and rather just given a citation. He stated it is most likely <br /> misdemeanor offenses will be referred to the Diversion Program when it is once again operational. He <br /> clarified in the majority of cases it is an arrest by definition but it is not a custodial arrest. <br /> In response to Councilmember Arkin, Chief Swing confirmed the PPD does not ask about immigration <br /> status. He added the PPD maintains Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) <br /> compliance. He was not aware of the specific public comments referenced by Councilmember Arkin. <br /> In response to Councilmember Balch, City Manager Fialho clarified the PUSD Board authorized the <br /> Superintendent to sign the agreement with the amendments. He stated if they make changes tonight <br /> the Superintendent would decide if the changes are within his authority to sign because they align with <br /> the Board's direction or if the changes needed to go back to the trustees. <br /> In response to Councilmember Balch, Chief Swing stated no day is the same for an SRO and typical <br /> daily tasks could include handling disturbances, working with and advising school administrators, or <br /> responding to potential mental health crises. He added most of the time is spent in positive interactions <br /> with kids. He offered as an example seeing one of the SROs dancing in full uniform earlier today in a <br /> middle school student's TikTok video. He added SROs tend to park their cars in a prominent location <br /> and greet students as they arrive at school, both to be a familiar face and to be a deterrent. Being a role <br /> model and building trust is a large part of what they do daily. <br /> In response to Councilmember Balch, Chief Swing confirmed he supports the redlined amendments <br /> and this MOU is the best solution for the safety of all involved. He stated having an SRO on campus <br /> unquestionably reduces response times to a potential shooting incident by having an immediate <br /> connection to dispatch and police radio along with having someone already on site to help coordinate <br /> an appropriate response. <br /> In response to Councilmember Narum, Chief Swing confirmed several cities in the area, including the <br /> City of Fremont, have removed SROs and then brought them back at the request of the community. He <br /> added he has seen this elsewhere in the County and State. <br /> In response to Councilmember Narum, Chief Swing stated SROs attend a 40-hour crisis intervention <br /> training, generally attend the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) conference <br /> and have other pieces of training for working with youth. Lt. Silacci confirmed the NASRO curriculum <br /> includes anti-bullying education. He added they host a joint training with PUSD staff and administrators. <br /> The SROs' work schedule is based around the school schedule so extra training happens over the <br /> summer. <br /> In response to Councilmember Narum, Chief Swing confirmed nothing in the MOU would prevent the <br /> SRO from responding to an emergency elsewhere in the City such as a natural disaster. He confirmed <br /> the SRO would be uniformed and have the appropriate safety equipment. He also confirmed there is <br /> nothing in the MOU the officers are concerned about. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 10 of 19 November 16. 2021 <br />