From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council met on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, for its first meeting of the month.
During the meeting, a proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city’s School Resource Officers (SROs), and Trussville City Schools was approved by the city. The purpose of the MOU is to clarify the specific responsibilities of school employees and SROs and to improve the SRO program. The school system and the city hope the agreement will enhance student safety and enhance “relationships and communications among the involved law enforcement agencies, TCS, administrators, staff, students, parents, and community stakeholders.”
A previously proposed MOU was tabled in January after Police Chief Eric Rush said he noticed language on the agreement was changed after his approval. The language stated that TPD would have to consult with TCS before releasing information to the public. Rush said that language was removed from the MOU and is not part of the new agreement.
The new proposed version of the MOU clarifies that SROs are employees of the Trussville Police Department and not the school system and that officers in schools “shall be responsible for carrying out all duties and responsibilities of a law enforcement officer and shall remain at all times under the control, through the chain of command, of TPD.” The proposed MOU also states the officers will work to “build a positive relationship between local law enforcement and the youth of the Trussville community while preventing crime and maintaining the safety of the school community, and reducing the time students are excluded from class for disciplinary reasons.”
In the proposed MOU, an officer would be provided at all TCS facilities, including all schools, the Board of Education building and at the stadium. The only time an officer would be removed from a TCS facility is if TPD staffing levels are low or if the officers are needed for an emergency.
Furthermore, the proposal states that in the case of a possible criminal act, SROs would have the authority to issue citations and make arrests. Any questioning of students would have to be done with the principal or a principal designee present. Arrests would need to be executed in “such a manner as to avoid both embarrassment to the student or adult being arrested and without jeopardizing the safety and welfare of students and staff.”
SROs would also respond to emergency situations and evacuation drills in order to enhance the safety of students. The proposed MOU outlines other responsibilities of SROs, including traffic safety, crime prevention programs, conflict resolution and mediation, drug and alcohol awareness, anti-bullying, violence prevention, gang awareness and community relations and outreach.
These are all protocols already in place for SROs, but the MOU would simply put these duties in writing. Many school systems across the U.S. have similar agreements.
Pending final approval, the MOU would be reviewed on an annual basis. The MOU now goes to the Trussville City School system for approval.
RETIREMENT
The city council also approved a measure to allow Tier II employees to receive Tier I retirement benefits. That means employees can retire with 25 years of service, instead of having to work until age 62 to retire. The change will impact employees that were hired after Jan. 1, 2013 that were brought on as Tier II employees.
Trussville Fire and Rescue Chief Tim Shotts said the move will help with recruitment and retention of employees.
The city will pay $75,000 to get all employees to Tier I.
OFFICER PROMOTIONS
Two Trussville Police officers were promoted during the city council meeting. Joshua Payne and Jonathan Bryant were both promoted to Sergeant.
There was no promotion ceremony at the meeting due to coronavirus restrictions.
OTHER BUSINESS
Roadway projects were approved by the city council. Two separate resolutions approving the right-of-way and construction easement acquisitions were approved for the Hwy 11 widening project and for the loop road project.
The second August city council meeting was rescheduled for Thursday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m.
The following items were also approved:
Accounts payable
Alabama ASCE/APWA – 2020 Summer Meeting – Sullivan – Gulf Shores – Sept 30-Oct 2, 2020 – $275.00 plus lodging
Revenue Officer’s Conference – Frazier – Hoover – Sept 2-4 – $265.00
Appoint Gary Lloyd to Historical Board through April 5, 2023
Move Park and Rec employees from Life Guard to part-time effective 8-15-20
Jacob Peterson – Grade 7, Step 1
Noah Riggs – Grade 7, Step 1
The Trussville Public Library will reopen with reduced hours after Labor Day. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8, hours will be 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The library will remain closed on weekends.
