Safety & Security

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING THE SCHOOL BOARD OF STAFFORD COUNTY AND OFFICE OF STAFFORD COUNTY SHERIFF

AUTHORITY

§ 22.1-280.2:3. School boards; local law enforcement agencies; memorandums of understanding.

“The school board in each school division in which the local law enforcement agency employs school resource officers, as defined in § 9.1-101, shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with such local law enforcement agency that sets forth the powers and duties of such school resource officers. The provisions of such memorandum of understanding shall be based on the model memorandum of understanding developed by the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety pursuant to subdivision A 12 of § 9.1-184, which may be modified by the parties in accordance with their particular needs.

Each such school board and local law enforcement agency shall review and amend or affirm such memorandum at least once every two years or at any time upon the request of either party. Each school board shall ensure the current division memorandum of understanding is conspicuously published on the division website and provide notice and opportunity for public input during each memorandum of understanding review period.”

I.  PURPOSE

The School Board of Stafford County (“Stafford Schools”) and the Office of Stafford County Sheriff (“Sheriff’s Office”) hereby enter into this Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) setting forth the respective roles and responsibilities of both parties regarding the use of school resource officers (SROs). The purpose of this MOU is to establish a mutually beneficial partnership (School–Law Enforcement Partnership (“S-LEP”)) that both schools and law enforcement can work within to achieve shared goals. The purpose of the S-LEP is to foster relations of mutual respect and understanding in order to build a positive and safe school environment and to facilitate effective, timely communication and coordination of efforts for both Stafford Schools and the Sheriff’s Office. 

This MOU is intended only to outline expectations between Stafford Schools and the Sheriff’s Office. It is not intended to create contractual or equitable obligations on the part of Stafford Schools or the Sheriff’s Office toward particular students, parents, Stafford Schools, or Sheriff’s Office employees, or any other third parties.

The parties agree that all responses to school misconduct should be reasonable, consistent, and fair with appropriate consideration of mitigating factors and the nature and severity of the incident. Furthermore, most student misconduct can be best addressed through classroom and in-school support strategies to reduce student contact with the juvenile justice system while balancing the rights of injured parties.

II. GOALS

The primary goals of the S-LEP and this model MOU are to (i) promote positive and supportive school climates and (ii) create and maintain safe and secure school environments.

To promote positive and supportive school climates, Stafford Schools and Sheriff’s Office will collaborate to increase law-related education, expand school safety and crime prevention efforts, reduce conflict, and support effective interventions for students.

To create and maintain safe and secure school environments, Stafford Schools and Sheriff’s Office will collaborate to reduce and prevent crime, violence, victimization, and fear in and around schools, and minimize student involvement with the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

III. EVALUATION OF THE SCHOOL–LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERSHIP

Stafford Schools and the Sheriff’s Office will jointly develop measurable objectives of the S-LEP using school discipline, crime, and violence data, school climate survey data, and any other data deemed to be relevant. Stafford Schools and the Sheriff’s Office will review progress toward achieving such objectives at least annually and the results of the progress review will be made available to the public.

IV. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Sheriff’s Office Responsibilities

1.       Provide law enforcement services to the extent resources are available and designated at no cost to Stafford Schools through the assignment of SROs. This service does not include employment of off-duty detail officers hired outside of this MOU for special activities, such as athletic events, proms, etc. In the event the assignment of the SRO changes, the school principal will be provided the name of the new SRO in advance of the individual starting the assignment.

2.       Employ, assign, schedule, supervise, train, and evaluate the SROs. In their performance of law enforcement functions, the SRO will remain at all times under the control, through the chain of command, of the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office will ensure the SRO meets the training standards for SROs established by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 9.1-101(54) and 9.1-114.1.

3.       Take into consideration the input of Stafford Schools and the identified needs and conditions of the schools when (i) developing and implementing law enforcement policies and practices that may affect schools, and (ii) selecting, assigning, scheduling, training, supervising, and evaluating SROs.

4.       Designate a direct point of contact between the Sheriff’s Office and Stafford Schools. The Sheriff’s Office point of contact will address any operational and administrative issues and will serve as a consultant for school safety and security issues including assessments and critical incident response planning. The Sheriff’s Office point of contact will maintain a working knowledge of school rules, regulations, and laws regarding student safety and conduct. The Sheriff’s Office point of contact will establish and maintain effective relationships with school personnel at the division and school levels.

B. School Division Responsibilities

1.       Designate a primary division-level point of contact between Stafford Schools and the Sheriff’s Office. Stafford Schools point of contact will implement the S-LEP and maintain ongoing communications with Sheriff’s Office officials.

2.       Ensure that school administrators facilitate effective communication between the SRO and school personnel in support of the goals of the S-LEP. Unless there is a clear and imminent threat to safety, requests from school personnel for SRO or other law enforcement assistance are to be made to a school administrator, and such administrator should, if appropriate, request assistance from the SRO.

3.       Ensure that the SRO is provided a work area within the school that allows access to technologies, private interviewing of multiple persons, and locking storage space for securing physical evidence.

4.       Communicate the goals and role of the SRO to all school administration, personnel, and students.

5.       Handle discipline within the school disciplinary process without involving SROs. Stafford Schools policies, administrative guidance, training, and ongoing oversight should clearly communicate that school personnel is responsible for school discipline and that law enforcement is not to be involved with disciplinary action, except as may be requested by Stafford Schools (e.g., if factual information gathered or observations by the SRO are relevant to a disciplinary matter).

6.       Ensure that school administrators meet the training requirements set forth in Virginia Code § 22.1-279.8(E).

7.       Ensure that school administrators review the MOU annually with SROs and establish school-specific operational and communications procedures to support the goals of the S-LEP.

C. SRO Roles and Responsibilities

1.       Become active members of their assigned schools by facilitating the effective delivery of law enforcement services and assisting with matters related to safety, security, and the exchange of information between Stafford Schools and the Sheriff’s Office.

2.       To the extent possible, provide coverage throughout the school day. SROs provide a visible deterrent to crime and shall be visible patrolling the exterior and interior grounds. SROs should wear the regulation uniform of the employing Sheriff’s Office and operate a marked Sheriff’s Office vehicle while on duty unless otherwise authorized by the SRO’s supervisor.

3.       Assist school administrators in developing school crisis, emergency management, and medical emergency response plans. SROs should work with school administrators in problem-solving to prevent crime and promote safety in the school environment. SROs are expected to collaborate with school administrators and other school personnel to support positive school climates that focus on resolving conflicts and minimizing student involvement with the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

4.       Participate as an active member of the School Threat Assessment Team.

5.       Assist in the completion of required School Safety Assessments.

6.       Act in the following capacities, as warranted:

a.       Law enforcement officer

As a sworn law enforcement officer, the primary role of an SRO in a school is as a law enforcement officer. SROs assume primary responsibility for responding to requests for law enforcement assistance from school administrators and coordinating the response of other law enforcement resources to the school. SROs should work with school administrators in problem-solving to prevent crime and promote safety in the school environment. In all cases, the SRO’s role as a law enforcement officer should take precedence over any other roles performed by the SRO.

b.      Law-related educator

As resources permit, SROs should strive to assist with presentations to 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 to students using lessons/curricula approved in advance by Stafford Schools.

c.       Role model and informal mentor 

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 role models and informal mentors. SROs are expected to communicate clearly to students about acceptable and unacceptable behavior, set a positive example in handling stressful situations and resolving conflicts, show respect and consideration of others, and express high expectations for student behavior. Students who may need additional assistance shall be referred to a school-based resource.   

V. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

A. Differentiating Disciplinary Misconduct from Criminal Offenses

School administrators and personnel are responsible for school discipline. Although SROs are expected to be familiar with the school division code of student conduct, the rules of individual schools, and their application in day-to-day practice, SROs should not be involved with the enforcement of school rules or disciplinary infractions that are not violations of law.

Consequences of student misconduct should be effective, developmentally appropriate, and fair.

Interventions and school sanctions should help students learn from their mistakes and address root causes of misconduct. School administrators should consider alternatives to suspensions and expulsions and law enforcement officials should consider alternatives to involvement with the juvenile and criminal justice systems for student violations of law.

B. Information Sharing

1.       The release and sharing of student records is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, and its implementing regulations, 34 C.F.R. Part 99, and §§ 22.1-287 and 22.1287.1 of the Code of Virginia.

2.       When appropriate, and to the extent allowable by law, Stafford Schools should notify SROs of any special needs of a student involved in a school-based infraction that is not routine discipline in order to assist the SRO in recognizing and accommodating behaviors that may be manifestations of a student’s disability. 

3.       To the extent possible, the public information officers of Stafford Schools and the Sheriff’s Office will coordinate on the release of information to the public.

4.       Consent access. An SRO or other law enforcement officer may have access to a student’s educational records with written consent of the student’s parent or legal guardian or of the student if the student is 18 years or age or older.

5.       SRO access. For purposes of access to student records, SROs may be considered “school officials with a legitimate educational interest” in reviewing information from student educational records covered by FERPA, and may be provided student information as needed to carry out their duties related to the school environment, provided such SROs perform a function or service for which the school would otherwise use employees (e.g., maintaining the physical safety and security of the school) and comply with the use and redisclosure requirements set forth in 34 C.F.R. § 99.33. SROs may have access to (i) information on students in their assigned schools that include directory information and additional items needed to carry out their duties, such as class schedules, as approved by the school administrator, and (ii) directory information for all students in the school division (however, unless they are school officials with a legitimate educational interest, they will not have access to student addresses, telephone numbers or email addresses unless another exception applies, given § 22.1-287.1 of the Code of Virginia). While, as noted above, SROs are always under the control of the Sheriff’s Office in carrying out their law enforcement duties, the Sheriff’s Office agree that SROs will respect the confidentiality of student education records as other school officials would, and are under the control of Stafford Schools when it comes to the handling of student education records. Sheriff’s Offices understand that unless a FERPA exception applies that would permit disclosure to law enforcement by any school official (e.g., in the context of a health or safety emergency or in response to a subpoena), SROs will not share protected student record information with any third-party, such as the Sheriff’s Office or Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. SROs shall not sue their access to student records for purposes of ordinary law enforcement activities or those crimes that occur off school grounds and unrelated to the school environment.

6.       Health or Safety Emergency Exception. Pursuant to 34 C.F.R. § 99.36, in the event of an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals, school officials may disclose any information from student records to appropriate parties, including law enforcement officials, whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.

7.       SRO disclosure of law enforcement records. SROs may disclose law enforcement records created and maintained by the SRO for the purpose of maintaining the physical security and safety of the school or the enforcement of laws. Because law enforcement records are not student records, they are not subject to the disclosure requirements of FERPA.

C. Investigation and Questioning of Students

1.       SROs have the authority to question students who may have information about criminal activity. As sworn law enforcement officers, SROs have authority to stop, question, interview, and take law enforcement action without prior authorization of the school administrator or contacting parents or legal guardians. However, the investigation and questioning of students during school hours or at school events should be limited to situations where the investigation is related to suspected criminal activity related to the operation of or occurring at the school.

2.       The interviewing of students, whether as suspects, victims, or witnesses, should be conducted privately in an office setting, if feasible. Either a parent/guardian or a school administrator will be present, if feasible. SROs shall take steps to ensure minimal intrusion into the educational experience of students being questioned in the school setting. Custodial interrogation of a minor must be conducted in accordance with § 16.1-247.1 of the Code of Virginia.

3.       SROs are responsible for leading the investigation and questioning of students related to suspected violations of criminal law. SROs shall not be included in the investigation and questioning of students about student code of conduct violations that do not involve any criminal activity or risk of harm to self or others. School administrators are responsible for the investigation and questioning of students about violations of the code of conduct.

4.       Non-SRO law enforcement officers needing to investigate and question students for offenses not related to the operation of or occurring at the school should take place at school only when delay might result in danger to any person, destruction of evidence, or flight from the jurisdiction by the person suspected of a crime.

5.       If it becomes necessary for a non-SRO law enforcement officer to interview a student at school in reference to a criminal offense that occurred in or outside the school, that officer shall contact the school SRO or SRO supervisor, or in the absence of both, the principal or assistant principal to coordinate the interview. If the interview is of a minor, the school administrator shall make a reasonable effort to notify a parent or guardian that law enforcement officers are seeking permission to question the student in school, except in cases of suspected child abuse or neglect, as referred to below. A school representative must be present for the interview.

6.       Child Abuse/Neglect: During an investigation for alleged child abuse or neglect, law enforcement officers and/or social workers are authorized by § 63.2-1518 of the Code of Virginia to interview any child suspected of being abused or neglected and/or their siblings outside the presence of the parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other person standing in loco parentis or school personnel without first obtaining parental consent or consent from school officials. Stafford Schools personnel should not inform parents, guardians, legal custodians, or other persons standing in loco parentis that a law enforcement officer and/or social worker has requested or has interviewed a child in connection with an investigation of alleged child abuse or neglect involving the child and/or the child’s siblings.

D. Investigations Involving Stafford Schools Employees or Students of a Criminal Nature or Involving

Sexual Assaults Under Title IX

1.       In the event of a joint investigation involving employee or student misconduct of a criminal nature which that is school-related, the Sheriff’s Office and Stafford Schools shall cooperate, to the extent permissible under their own policies and regulations, to share information evidence and testimony relevant to any criminal proceedings, to any concurrent Stafford Schools investigation of an alleged  sexual assault or related offense under Title IX, or to any related Stafford Schools employee disciplinary/dismissal proceedings.

2.       SROs are sworn law enforcement officers with all applicable police powers on school property, including the authority to stop, question, interview, and take appropriate law enforcement action in situations involving students, faculty, and/or other persons on school property.

3.       Although law enforcement actions may be taken without prior notification or authorization of the school principal, SROs shall notify school officials of situations that arise as soon as practical. 

4.       Where SROs are assisting, at the request of school authorities, in the investigation of a school-related incident or any incident which may have potential consequences for the safety of students or school employees, the SROs may interview students without advance parental consent. Examples of incidents which may have potential consequences for the safety of students and Stafford Schools employees include student fights that may result in retaliation, threats against students or employees, gang-related offenses such as assault and battery and intimidation, or drug or weapon possession on school property or at school-related activities.

E. Searches

1.       All searches shall be conducted in accordance with federal and state laws and applicable school division  and Sheriff’s Office policies and guidelines, including the principles embodied in this MOU.

2.       School administrator searches. School personnel may conduct searches of a student's property and person under their jurisdiction in accordance with guidelines developed as contemplated by Code of Virginia § 22.1-279.7, and the advice of the school’s legal counsel. Searches by school officials are conducted under a reasonable suspicion standard and the guidelines set forth in School Board Policy 2417 (Search and Seizure).

3.       SRO searches. Any search initiated by an SRO or other law enforcement officer is based on a probable cause standard and conducted in accordance with constitutional search and seizure requirements. All searches should occur outside the presence of students and school personnel, with the exception of school administrators, unless there is a clear and imminent threat to safety.

4.       SROs should not become involved in administrative searches and at no time should SROs request that an administrative search be conducted for law enforcement purposes or have school personnel conduct a search as the SRO’s agent.

5.       The SRO shall be responsible for taking custody of any contraband or weapons found, whether they will be used for prosecution or administrative hearings. Recovered contraband and/or weapons are to be handled in accordance with all applicable Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures. Stafford Schools personnel will promptly contact the SRO to turn over possession of any contraband (e.g., drugs, weapons, etc.) recovered in schools or on school property by school staff.

6.       The SRO shall be responsible for the destruction of any illegal substances that will not be used as evidence in the prosecution of a criminal matter. Stafford Schools personnel shall not destroy any contraband. The destruction of contraband by the SRO shall be administered in accordance with existing laws and the Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures.

F. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Video Requests

To support school-related investigations and subject to the state and federal confidentiality and non-disclosure provisions, Stafford Schools shall provide CCTV video in response to a lawfully issued subpoena or search warrant from the Sheriff’s Office. Requests shall be addressed to the Director of Safety and Security. Stafford Schools will create a case file and preserve the video.

G. Arrests

Whenever practical, the arrest of a student or school personnel should be accomplished outside of school hours in order to not disrupt the educational process or school setting. Arrests that must occur during school hours or on school grounds should be coordinated through the school administrator to minimize potential disruption. When circumstances do not allow for prior coordination through the school administrator, arrests should be reported to the school administrator as soon as possible. In addition to any required notification of parents and legal guardians by the SRO taking a student or employee into custody, school administrators or their designees must notify parents and legal guardians upon a school-based arrest of the student.

H. Physical Restraint by School Personnel

1.       Physical restraint refers to restricting a student’s ability to freely move his or her torso, arms, legs,

or head. The term physical restraint does not include a physical escort, such as temporary touching of the arm or other body part for the purpose of inducing a student who is acting out to walk to a safe location. 

2.       Physical restraint by school personnel is used in accordance with the Regulations Governing the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools in Virginia (8VAC20-750), and Stafford Schools Regulation 2421-R (Restraint and Seclusion of Students). Every effort should be made by school personnel to prevent the need for the use of restraint. Physical restraint should not be used except by school personnel trained in the use of physical restraint as required by the school division. 

3.       School personnel should act to de-escalate situations that are causing, or have the potential to cause, disruptions to the school environment and/or are violations of the student code of conduct where appropriate. If physical intervention is necessary, the action shall be reported promptly to the school administrator and the rationale for the action shall be fully documented.

I. Physical Intervention by School Resource Officers

1.       An SRO should not be involved in the physical restraint of a student unless there is a clear and imminent threat to safety. As sworn law enforcement officers, SROs may intervene to de-escalate situations. 

2.       Physical intervention by SROs is undertaken in accordance with policies and operational procedures of the Sheriff’s Office and state law regarding physical intervention and use of force by a law enforcement officer. If an SRO is involved in the use of restraint or physical intervention, the action should be reported to the school administrator and the SRO’s supervisor and the rationale for the action should be fully documented.

3.       SROs should be aware of the Regulations Governing the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools in Virginia (8VAC20-750) and Stafford Schools Regulation 2421-R (Restraint and Seclusion of Students) and may attend training offered by the local school system on their use of seclusion and restraint by school personnel. However, SROs should continue to operate by the policies and operational procedures of the Sheriff’s Office and state law regarding physical intervention and use of force by a law enforcement officer.

4.       If the SRO physically intervenes with a student, Stafford Schools and Sheriff’s Office should coordinate to ensure that reasonable effort is made to inform the parents or legal guardians of such student on the same day as the occurrence of the physical intervention. 

VI.  USE OF BODY WORN CAMERAS (BWC)  

The Sheriff’s Office and Stafford Schools are committed to deterring criminal activity and providing a safe learning environment. The use of BWC is intended to enhance public trust by documenting law enforcement encounters with the public while promoting accountability, transparency, and professionalism. Law enforcement's use of BWCs can be effective in reducing the number of violent confrontations, use of force incidents, and complaints. 

The procedures for use of BWCs by SROs on Stafford Schools properties is as follows:

1. All SROs shall operate their BWC in compliance with the Sheriff’s Office BWC Policy GO-425 , which has been provided to Stafford Schools Department of Safety and Security.
2. The BWC is not actively recording until the SRO becomes involved in or is likely to become involved in an enforcement action or adversarial encounter, at which time the officer must activate the BWC to record.
3. Any request by Stafford Schools to view a recording must be approved by the Administrative Division Commander/designee of the Sheriff’s Office. All requests to view BWC recordings shall be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis. The BWC recordings are not maintained by Stafford Schools and, therefore,  are not student educational records within the meaning of FERPA.

Copies of BWC recordings will not be made available to Stafford Schools unless approved by the Sheriff or Sheriff’s designee.

VII. ENROLLMENT REPORTS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED BY STAFFORD SCHOOLS

The purpose of this section is to provide a cooperative arrangement for coordination and utilization of services of the Sheriff’s Office relating to certain reports required to be submitted by Stafford Schools pursuant to §  22.1-279.3:1 of the Code of Virginia.  Stafford Schools shall implement the requirements of §  22.1-3.1 of the Code of Virginia and provide the Sheriff’s Office with those notices required by that statute in conformance with law and Stafford Schools Regulation 2102-R (Residency for School Admission).

VIII. REPORTS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED TO STAFFORD SCHOOLS

As required by § 22.1-279.3:1 of the Code of Virginia, the Sheriff’s Office shall report to the Division Superintendent (Superintendent) through the Stafford Schools Department of Safety and Security and the principal (or designee) of the school, all incidents known to the Sheriff’s Office involving Stafford Schools students, as those incidents are defined in Subsection A of that statute, and shall report to the Superintendent through the Stafford Schools Department of Safety and Security and the principal (or designee) of the school, all offenses committed by a student enrolled at the school, as those offenses are defined in Subsection C of the statute, and shall also report whether the student has been released to his parents or on bond. 

IX. DURATION/TERMINATION

The term of this MOU shall be for a period for two calendar years from the date of execution by both parties. Both parties agree to review the MOU during the second year of the term for renewal at its conclusion. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude either party from recommending critical amendments to the MOU, if necessary, during the term. This MOU may be terminated in writing by either party with at least 45 days’ notice.

X. KEY STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Crime Reporting

§ 22.1-279:3:1 of the Code of Virginia (effective 7/1/2022) requires the reporting of certain acts to school authorities; reporting of certain acts by school authorities to parents; and reporting of certain acts by school authorities to law enforcement.

A.  Reports shall be made to the division superintendent and to the principal or his designee on all incidents involving:

1.  Alcohol, marijuana, a controlled substance, an imitation controlled substance, or an anabolic steroid on a school bus, on school property, or at a school-sponsored activity, including the theft or attempted theft of student prescription medications;

2.  The assault and battery that results in bodily injury of any person on a school bus, on school property, or at a school-sponsored activity;

3.  The sexual assault, death, shooting, stabbing, cutting, or wounding of any person, abduction of any person as described in § 18.2-47, or 18.2-48, or stalking of any person as described in § 18.2-

60.3, on a school bus, on school property, or at a school-sponsored activity;

4.  Any written threats against school personnel while on a school bus, on school property, or at a school-sponsored activity;

5.  The illegal carrying of a firearm, as defined in § 22.1-277.07, onto school property;

6.  Any illegal conduct involving firebombs, explosive materials or devices, or hoax explosive devices, as defined in § 18.2-85, or explosive or incendiary devices, as defined in § 18.2-433.1, or chemical bombs, as described in § 18.2-87.1, on a school bus, on school property, or at a school-sponsored activity;

7.  Any threats or false threats to bomb, as described in § 18.2-83, made against school personnel or involving school property or school buses; or

8.  The arrest of any student for an incident occurring on a school bus, on school property, or at a school-sponsored activity, including the charge therefore.

B.  Except as may otherwise be required by federal law, regulation, or jurisprudence, each principal:

1.  Shall immediately report to the local law-enforcement agency any incident described in subdivision A 1 that may constitute a felony offense;

2.  Shall immediately report to the local law-enforcement agency any incident described in subdivisions A 3 through 7, except that a principal is not required to but may report to the local law enforcement agency any incident described in subdivision A 4 committed by a student who has a disability;

3.  May report to the local law-enforcement agency any other incident described in subsection A that is not required to be reported pursuant to subdivision 1 or 2; and

4.  Shall immediately report any act enumerated in subdivisions A 1 through 5 that may constitute a criminal offense to the parents of any minor student who is the specific object of such act. Further, the principal shall report whether the incident has been reported to local law enforcement pursuant to this subsection and, if the incident has been so reported, that the parents may contact local law enforcement for further information, if they so desire.

Pursuant to §§ 16.1-260(G) and 19.2-83.1(B), law enforcement agencies and/or intake officers are required to notify the division superintendent if a student is arrested for certain offenses or subject to a petition alleging that the student committed certain offenses. Division superintendents who receive such reports are required to report the information to the principal of the school in which the student is enrolled. 

As a general practice, SROs should notify the principal as soon as practical of any significant law enforcement events occurring at or in association with the school (e.g., at a school bus stop or off campus activity, during or outside school hours). No SRO or school administrator will be required to file delinquency charges in response to any such activity. 

Threat Assessment

Threat assessments will be conducted in accordance with local school board policies adopted as required by Virginia Code § 22.1-79.4 and, in general, consistent with model procedures and guidelines published by the DCJS Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety and other appropriate practices.

Pursuant to § 22.1-79.4 each division superintendent shall establish, for each school, a threat assessment team that shall include persons with expertise in counseling, instruction, school administration, and law enforcement and (effective 7/1/2022), in the case of any school in which a school resource officer is employed, at least one such school resource officer. SROs serving as members of threat assessment teams (including as school officials with a legitimate educational interest, as defined by FERPA and as discussed above) may assist in the monitoring of subject students as well as determining the need, if any, for law enforcement action.

School Safety Audits

School safety audits will be conducted annually as required by Virginia Code § 22.1-279.8 to assess school safety conditions in schools. SROs, in collaboration with school administrators, will conduct school inspection walk-throughs using a standardized checklist developed by the Center for School and Campus Safety. SROs and the Sheriff’s Office should collaborate in other school safety audit mandates set forth in Virginia Code § 22.1-279.8, including school crisis, emergency management, and medical emergency response planning and preparation, and effective 7/1/2022 as part of each such audit, the school board shall create a detailed and accurate floor plan for each public school building in the local school division or shall certify that the existing floor plan for each such school is sufficiently detailed and accurate.

 School Protection Officer Program (SPO)

The Sheriff will designate a program to provide specifically trained law enforcement officers within schools at the elementary level. Selection of the elementary schools participating in the program will be a collaborative decision made by members of the Sheriff's Office, the School Security Task Force, School Administration and the School Board.  School Protection Officers will be tasked with security matters and will not routinely act as a SRO for investigative purposes. SPO's will work closely with the school administrators to identify school security concerns. The evaluation of the SPO  program will be a collaborative effort comprised from the Protection Officers, Sheriff's Office supervision and members of the school administration.

Signed:

David P. Decatur, Jr., Sheriff, Stafford County, Date: March 31, 2025

Daniel W. Smith, Ed.D.. Superintendent, Stafford County Public Schools on behalf of the School Board of Stafford County, Date: February 28, 2025

Appendix A

Partner Schools

 

Brooke Point High School	North Stafford High School
Colonial Forge High School	Stafford High School
Mountain View High School	H.H. Poole Middle School
A.G. Wright Middle School	Rodney Thompson Middle School
Dixon-Smith Middle School	Shirley C. Heim Middle School
Edward E. Drew Middle School	T. Benton Gayle Middle School
Stafford Middle School	Head Start (Rising Star and North Star)
Margaret Brent Elementary School	Anthony Burns Elementary School
Kate Waller Barrett Elementary School	Falmouth  Elementary School
Conway Elementary School	Garrisonville Elementary School
Ferry Farm Elementary School	Hampton Oaks Elementary School
Grafton Village Elementary School	Moncure Elementary School
Hartwood Elementary School	Rockhill Elementary School
Park Ridge Elementary School	Stafford Elementary School
Rocky Run Elementary School	Winding Creek Elementary School
Widewater Elementary School	Phoenix Center for Innovative Learning
Academy of Technology and Innovation at the         University of Mary Washington