School Bd. Comm. Mtg.committee Members

CAMDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS  Security           Department

          

201 N. Front Street, Camden, NJ 08102, Tel.: 856.966.2101/2102 Fax: 856.966.2144

8568856856856966856.966.2522 85856.966.222 856.966.2522 B. LeFra Young, Ph. D Superintendent David Shafter School Business Adm. Security Thomas Hewes-Eddinger Chief of Security Josephine Garcia Operations Officer Curtis Surratt Operations Officer Pamela Christy Clerk                 

To:

Policy Committee Members

From: Mr. Thomas Hewes-Eddinger Date: January 9, 2009 Subject:

School Board Policy Committee Meeting, Wednesday, January 14, 2009.

Attached are numerous folders concerning Policy and Procedural issues pertaining to the Security Department. Let me begin with a Professional Statement as to the function of Security in any organization, public or private. Every organization begins with a “Mission Statement”. For the Camden City School District, that mission is to provide the best education possible for the children of this city. The accepted practice of security in any organization is the protection of the organizations’ mission. In this case, it is the protection of people and property from internal and external threats. It needs to be understood that security is not part of the education process, but exists to protect the process. In addition, security is a fluid and pro-active process that depends on daily, and at times, hourly deployment changes in staffing to meet the immediate need of the district. At present, the security department staffing has 120 full- time security officer positions and 5 part- time substitute positions assigned proportionately throughout the district at all schools and the Administration building. Supervision within the department consists of 2 middle management positions called Operations Officers. Their oversight responsibility begins with one of the two main high schools and includes all the elementary and middle schools that feed those respective high schools, along with an even split of the remaining alternative schools. There is no security department supervision at the individual school level. However, there exists an unsanctioned, yet understood “lead Officer” position in those schools with more than one officer. Current Administrative policy dictates that officers report to and receive daily deployment instructions from the individual school administrators. It is understood that security staff are assigned to the individual principal and it is the accepted practice that such staff are the sole possession of that principal and school. This practice has been verbally stated to me by a variety of principals and is sustained by the security officers written job description established by Human Resources. As a result, there is a level of administrative resistance that prevents the security department from deploying security staff permanently or to meet an emergent need.

Past practice for the hiring of security staff was fraternal. The qualifications for the position are minimal at best and the pre-screening process of applicants is well below industry standards. Current staff training is scattered around a variety of “made-up” courses taught by uncertified instructors. Training records within the department are non-existent. The absence of sanctioned training courses and properly maintained training records leaves the district vulnerable to civil action. Uniformed officers are issued a list of clothing choices to design their individual uniform not to exceed $300.00. In reviewing the appearance of the staff, many look like “street thugs” (i.e. Sean John/Roca Wear black hooded sweatshirts, multi-colored sneakers, tactical pants, wool caps, etc.). This is inappropriate for the position they hold. As you can see, the security department is a dysfunctional entity that possesses no clear mission, operates well outside of industry standards and is manipulated on a daily basis by dozens of administrators whose individual concept of security takes precedent over a district-wide concept established and implemented by security professionals. This department needs restructuring in the form of established policies and procedures set forth by the Governing Board and not by “Past Practice” or “that’s the way things are done”. The Board needs to create an independent department free of interference from school administrators, establish a security department “Mission Statement” and provide the necessary staffing, supervision, internal discipline and resources necessary to implement the mission. Listed below are some of the more pertinent issues facing the department and requiring quicker Board action. Security

1. Change of title from School Law Enforcement Officer to School Officer. 2. Restructure the departments’ Chain of Command and reporting

system. 3. Improve the Hiring Process with; qualifications that include: • High School Diploma • Prior Military Experience • Enrolled in a continuing Education Program Pre-Screening that Includes: • Panel Interview • Written and Oral demonstration of communication skills • Alcohol and Drug Screening • Pass a medical and physical exam • Pass a psychological Exam 4. Create mandatory basic and in-service training and a departmental record keeping system. 5. Approve standards for Ethics and Accountability that include a Code of Conduct and a Standardized Disciplinary Process. 6. Allow for an easier “at will” process of non-renewal of Security staff and…

7. Establish a uniform dress code and insignias’. 8. Approve a standard “Use of Force” Policy. Cc:

Dr. Young, Superintendent Mr. Mills, Deputy Superintendent