With Independence Township on the hook for $32,700 for Oakland County Sheriff’s services after ending a cooperative agreement with Brandon Township, Supervisor Pat Kittle asked if Clarkston Community Schools could help out.
Since 2005, the township has footed the bill for two liaison officers, both sheriff’s deputires, in the school district.
‘The total cost for two deputies is $260,000 for the full 12 months,? Kittle said.
The district previously requested one more year for the service, but has budgeted $30,000 for the township.
‘These officers are very important to the safety and welfare of our community ? 8,000 residents is a large percentage of our total population,? said Superintendent Dr. Rod Rock. ‘It’s is a step toward restoring a shared responsibility for the costs.?
Funding for police liaisons used to be provided by the federal government, but the funding has dried up since 2010.
‘Despite the fact grant dollars have been unavailable for the past few years, the township continued to provide this vital liaison service to CCS at no charge to them,? Kittle said.
‘It is recommended a committee be established with representatives from the township and CCS to develop a long term plan to include reasonable reimbursement levels for continuance of this critical service,? he said. ‘The township is discussing funding resource options with the Oakland Country Sheriff’s Department and Homeland Security for the availability of federal or state grant funds to assist with expenses for future liaison officer services.”
Liaison officers investigate crimes in the schools, investigate potential domestic violence issues and serve as a deterrent in the schools as well as at ball games, dances, graduation, and other events, Rock said.
“They’re the first line of safety in our schools,” he said.
Oakland County Sheriff Deputy Scott Panin, police liaison at Clarkston High School, said his presence in schools is important for building relationships with students and protecting schools.
‘The big problem we have here is something called wax, a pure form of THC, the illegal ingredient in marijuana? Panin said.
Tonya Cunningham from Clarkston Coalition for Youth said police in schools make a difference.
‘I feel the interaction kids have with other caring adults is so important,” Cunningham said. “One of our founding philosophy of the Clarkston Coalition is the 40 Developmental Assets, now this program, as adapted over the course of decades due to the social needs of our society ? the main points are Care, Growth, Support, Power and Possibilities. The officers in the schools provide all of this to the student they come in contact with.?
Cunningham said there are many examples of why police in schools is important.
‘The officer at the elementary schools visits the school and shows an interest in the kids she is with, she passes out coupons for slushees at 7-11, stickers, press-on tattoos,? she said.
Deputies are a role model kids look up to, she added.
‘She encourages good behavior and rewards that ongoing behavior. As the students get older, the support to guide them on the right path, to listen to them and to collaborate to find a way to help the student or students overcome or achieve what ever is challenging them,? Cunningham said.
Independence Township residents pay $4.5 million a year for police service to fund a contract with Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, but policing schools is extra.
During school months, two OCSO deputies patrol schools full-time. When school is out in summertime, the deputies return to regular patrol in the township.
School is in session about nine months, so about half that cost, $130,000, is used patrolling the community.
Eight states in the nation provide state level funding to help police schools. Four states have a special county tax to pay for the services. Schools in other states, including Michigan, are left to foot the bill. Laws also vary from state to state about who is qualified to police schools. In Michigan, the board of education and/or the chief officer of a school has the power to create a school law enforcement agency.