CR 97-22 PD Junior High School Liaison
January 31, 1997
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Council Report 97-22
POLICE DEPARTMENT - JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOl, LIAISON OFFICER PROGRAM
Proposed Action
The staff recommends that the Council approve the funding request for the addition of a junior
high school liaison officer.
Overview
During the past eight months, an organization comprised of city managers, police chiefs and
school administrators, have been meeting to discuss topics of mutual interest and concern. This
committee entitled "Municipalities/School District Collaborative" have researched a number of
areas and have taken action to improve the effectiveness of our services to the community.
One of the discussion items was a junior high liaison program that would serve both Hopkins
West and North Junior High Schools and would be in addition to the full time liaison program
that is funded by the City of Minnetonka at Hopkins High School. The proposed Junior High
liaison program will also serve as a contact for the elementary schools of the school district and
would be a link between police departments of Golden Valley, Minnetonka and Hopkins.
Because youngsters from the three municipalities attend the Hopkins school district, the program
with a coordinator such as a liaison officer could maintain continuity in investigations, develop
positive relationships with the students, provide instructions to the students, and serve to prevent
crime or injurious behaviors.
During this past year a grant was prepared and submitted by the three conununities, along with
the Hopkins school district, requesting funding for a similar program that would meet
community needs. The State of Minnesota notified the communities that they would not be
receiving funding under this grant. As discussions continued, it is the proposal that the school
district would pick up 50% ofthe costs ofthe liaison program (approximately $14,000), and that
the rest could be contributed by the cities of Golden Valley, Hopkins and Minnetonka, based on
the number of students residing in each municipality divided by the total number of students in
the three mnnicipalities. This program is in the amount of $9,000.00 for 1997. The program will
be evaluated and a decision made for 1998 during the budget process.
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Primary Issues to Consider
. What is the formula for determining costs to each community?
. Has this proposal been approved by the Golden Valley and Minnetonka City
Councils?
. What are the specific benefits to the Hopkins community?
. What are the pros and cons of a liaison officer hired by the Minnetonka Police
Department rather than a Hopkins officer?
Supporting Documents
. Memo from Gary Prest to Chief Earl Johnson - Formula of Proposal
. Junior High School Liaison Position Description
. Memorandum from Gary Prest to the Hopkins School Board and Superintendent
Michael Kremer
Primary Issues to Consider
. What is the formula for determining costs to each community?
The costs for the remainder of the 1996 - 1997 school year is approximately
$28,000.00. Of those costs the Hopkins School District will pick up $14,000.00
as their contribution. The City of Golden Valley has 13.1 % of students enrolled
which reflects a cost to the City of Golden Valley $1,836.53. The City of
Minnetonka has 57.6% of the student population which makes their contribution
$8,064.58. The City of Hopkins has 29.3% of students enrolled and their
assessment is $4,098.89. It should be noted that students not residing in any of
the three municipalities which amount to approximately 13.3% of total student
enrollment will be covered by the district's contribution. With the school district
picking up 50% of the costs ($14,000.00) the cities of Golden Valley, Hopkins
and Minnetonka, are assessed according to the number of students residing in
each municipality divided by the total number of students in the three
municipalities. The proposal is to base the request on our fiscal calendar rather
than the school year which would double this figure to approximately $9,000.00
for our 1997 budget.
· Has this proposal been approved by the Golden Valley and Minnetonka
City Councils?
The Golden Valley City Council has reviewed the proposal and has adopted the
recommendations. The City of Minnetonka along with the City of Hopkins will
be considering this proposal at their next regular council meeting.
. What are the specific benefits to the Hopkins community?
A collaborative effort will provide us better coordination in assessing how
effective our prevention and community education efforts are as they relate to
juveniles. In addition, a liaison officer that is able to devote full-time attention to
junior high youngsters is in a better position to be able to coordinate efforts to
investigate criminal activity that is perpetrated by students in their communities
after school hours. ln addition, the liaison officer can work with our own juvenile
officers to assure that their needs are met when following up on criminal activity
while classes are in session.
· What are the pros and cons of an officer with the Minnetonka Police Dept.
serving as the liaison rather than having our own Hopkins police officer in
that position?
While the junior high schools are part of the Hopkins School District both
facilities are located within the city of Minnetonka. Consequently the
Minnetonka Police Dept. has responsibility for the delivery of service to the
schools. Representatives of the three municipalities recognize that are always
philosophical differences between departments, but that strong communications
will make this a successful joint effort.
. What is the basis for the staff recommendation?
Our research indicates that by identifying juveniles that are involved in
anti-social/criminal behavior early on with a team composed of counselors,
juvenile officers, and a liaison officer will find alternative ways to address the
uniqueness of each case. The collaboration of three separate police agencies
geometrically increases our effectiveness while at the same time increasing
service levels at minimal costs to the taxpayer. The City of Hopkins maintained a
liaison program in the high school when it was located within the city of Hopkins.
During that period of time the school district funded 50% of that program. I
believe there are a number of benefits to this proposal with minimum costs
incurred.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council has the following alternatives regarding this item:
1. Per the recommendation of staff authorize the 1997 budget to include funding for
a shared junior high liaison officer position at a cost of$9,000.00.
2. Table the proposal and request additional information.
3. Deny approval of the recommendations.
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HOPKINS SCHOOL DIST 270
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FAX NO, 6129884020
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PASSION FOR LEAl?NING...LEAl?NING FOR LIFE
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Administrative Services
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November 12,1996
Post-it" Fax Note
To JL.
Co.lDept.
Phone I
7671
Co.
TO: Chief Earl Johnson
Chief Dean Mooney
Chief Richard W. Setter
FROM: Gary Prest
RE: Enrollm.ents per Municipality
Thank you for your commitment to the Junior High School Liaison Officer program,
Your leadership in this area will pay positive dividends for the communities as wl!!ll as
the schools. My discussions with the principals and associates have been met With
unbounded enthusiasm. The success of the CUtTOnt program is being projected unto
the potential j unior high program. High standards are expectedl
Fax''13'1 -1.37.r-
Phon.' <?11-<!-1J>
Fax'
To calculate the monetary contribution of the partners, I made the following
assumptions: ,
,
. The partners will make a commitment to fund a full-time police officer for the
remainder of the 1996.1997 school year.
· The District will contribute 50% (approximately $14,000).
. The remaining 50% (approximately $14,000) will be contributed by the cities of
Golden Valley, Hopkins and Minnetonka according to the number of students
residing in each municipality divided by the total of student in the three
municipalities. .
. Students not residing in any of the three municipalities (approximately 13.3% of
total student enrollment will be covered by the District's contribution.
The contributions would be as follows:
Funds necessary for remainder of school year: Approx.
$28,000.00'
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ISD 270 contrlbuflon $14,OOO.0~
Municipal ContributiOIM -'''--r
Golden Vallev 910; 13.1%1 .__$J,a~6,~3
Hookins ~93~.1.L 29.3% ! $4 096.89
-
Mlnnetonka , 3g~~L_. 57.6% ! $8 064.58
'Total of GV. H, M
: Total ISO 270 Std.
6937
8000
86.7% of Total ISO 270 Std.
Please review. If! can be helpful please let me know. We will discuss further at the
next full collaborative meeting on December 2.
~-28-97 rUE 15:45
HOPKINS SCHOOL DIsr 270
FAX NO, 6129884020
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PASSION FOR LEARNlNG...LEARNlNG FOR LIFE
Administrative Services
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FROM: Gary Prest ' ~cv-.l.o c-i ~ 16...~
RE: Junior High School Police Liaison Program ,.....~ .-;..(... VJ~. t.J
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Background: ~1"'-r.."""" cA. \r- "(VttI ~tr"'\. ~CJW.
During the past eight months, the Municipalities/School District Collaborative t..~ I
(M/SD), comprised of City Managers and Police Chiefs of Golden Valley, Hopkins, J:L..c....()
and Minnetonka and a~trat<:rs of the Hop~ins School District (roster is r: 'A . . . '. r. 1
attached),'have met to dISCUSS tOpICS of mutual mterest and concern. The O--Y'fol~
discussions have been fruitful, and the collaboration has led to an increased C1 '
understanding of the relationship between each governmental unit and actions ~.
which allow for an increased capacity for service. t"\
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One topic, Junior High Police Liaison Program, has emerged as a timely issue, As a
result of discussion and planning each municipality has pledged financial.support
for a Junior High School Police Liaison (JHSPL), even though the Hopkins West and
North Junior High Schools are fully located in the City of Minnctonka. It is the
intent of the M/SD that the JHSPL serve as a contact for the elementary schools of
the School District .and that the JHSPL serve as a link between and among the
respective police departments and with the schools. .In addition, the position will
allow students, families and the liaison police officer to develop positive
relationships. The M/SD views the healthy relationship between an individual and
a police office as being a critical factor in preventing crime or injurious behavior.
January 28, 1997
TO: School Board
Superintendent
While fiscal details of involvement are still being finalized, the Hopkins School
District would be responsible for .5 FTE of the position, with the municipalities
sharing the remaining .5 FTE. Funding for .5 FTE would come from the
Superintendent Contingency or Supplemental staffing. Funding would be for one
calendar year. It is anticipated that the Legislature will be increasing the current levy
ability of School Districts for police liaison programs from $1.00 per resident to $3.00
per resident, providing a continuous source of funding.
Recommendation:
That the School Board approve the Hopkins School District Junior High Police
Liaison Program
NOTE: The final fiscal agreement between the Municipalities and School Board will
be presented to the Board on a future consent agenda.
Junior High School Police Liaison Position Description
1. The Junior High School Police Liaison, as a member of the Minnetonka Police
Department, will be directly responsible to the assigned police supervisor, who
shall designate and/or authorize any variation in normal work schedule:; or
assignments.
2. The Junior High School Police Liaison will report daily to police headquarters
for briefing and inspection, Upon completion, the officer will proceed directly
to the Hopkins West or North Junior High School and make his/her presence
known to school authorities.
3. The Junior High School Police Liaison will normally wear suitable civilian
attire. A police uniform may be worn by the officer as conditions dictate, Le.,
football games, special events, etc.
4. The Junior High School Police Liaison will receive all investigation
assignments from the police departm.ent.
5. The School Liaison Office has the primary responsibility in serving as a resource
officer to the classroom, faculty members, school administrators and the
Chemical and Violence Prevention Committee.
6. The Junior High School Police Liaison will int~ract with staff at the school in
maintaining maximum school safety a~,d sec:urity by assisting school
administrators and the City in matters such as trespassing, minor thefts,
vandalism, truancy and other support services as needed.
7. The Junior High School Police Liaison will work with the juvenile court system
and other social agencies that are concerned with juvenile crime prevention
and diversion programs.
B. The Junior High School Police Liaison will serve as a reSOurce person to school
principals, counselors, parents, delinquency prevention agencies, social service
agencies and other agencies who share in this common goal of delinquency
prevention.
9. The Junior High School Police Liaison will make public appearances at various
functions for the purposes of preventing juvenile delinquencies and give
informational assistance and guidance to PTO, service clubs, church fellowship
clubs, civic gatherings, youth clubs and other such community groups.
10. At the request of school administrators, the Junior High School Police Liaison
will assist at school functions where large crowds are in attendance, such as
sporting events.
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HOPKINS SCHOOL DIST 270
FAX NO. 6129BB4020
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11. The Junior High School Police Liaison will not have authority for disciplining
students on the school premises. That function will be left to the school
authorities, who will enforce their own school rules and regulations. School
authorities may request the officer to assist them if conditions warrant.
12, The Junior High School Police Liaison wUl establish regular hours at Hopkins
West Junior High School and Hopkins North Junior High School and be
available, upon request, to elementary school principals and faculty of the
junior highs and elementary schools.
13. The Junior High School Police Liaison will make individual student contacts
and will be available to guide students apart from, or in conjunction with, the
school staff personnel.
14. The Junior High School Police Liaison will have the responsibility of
investigating various incidents that involve juveniles within the City of
Minnetonka. Incidents occurring outside of the City will be referred to the
appropriate law enforcement agency.
15. Junior High School Police Liaison will work with members of the Golden
Valley.and Hopkins Police Department when issues involve a student from the
. elementary or junior high schools of the Hopkins School District.
16. Training will be provided by the Minnetonka.Police Department and the
Hopkins School District as appropriate,
17. The Junior High Police Liaison will provide leadership in the prevention and
diversion of juvenile delinquency behavior
18. The Junior High Police Liaison will serve as a member of the Hopkins School
District School Attendance Review Board.
19. The Junior High School Police Liaison will perform such other duties as may be
assigned by the police department.
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HOPKINS SCHOOL DIST 270
FAX NO, 6129884020
:Municipalities/School Di$trict CoUDhorative ~
.
City Managers
David Childs (Minnetonka)
Bill Joynes (Golden Valley)
Steve Mielke (Hopkins)
Police An....inistrators
Terry Balfanz (Dir. ofInvestigation-Minnetonka)
Earl Johnson (Chief.Hopkins)
Dean Mooney (Chief-Golden Valley)
Terry Balfanz <Dir. ofInvestigation-Minnetonka)
Richard Setter (Chief-Minnetonka)
Police Liaison Officers
Mark Raquet (Minnetonka)
Principals
Tom Bauman (Hopkins High School)
Jim Harders (North J1.11rior High School)
Chuck Mykleby (Eisenhower Elementary)
Jan Olson (Tuition Programs)
Diane Schimelpfenig (Mea.dowbrook Elementary)
Terry Wolfson (West Junior High School)
District Admi'l'liAtrators
Mike Kremer (Superintendent)
Diane Cowdery (Human Relations)
Karen Filla eSpecial Services)
Gary Prest <Administrative Services)
P,05,
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