The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety approved the request made by Plymouth Police Chief David Bacon to extend a conditional offer of employment to Jess Fisher.
The board also approved his request to promote Officer Ryan Richey to Second Shift Sergeant, retroactively effective to Monday, June 5.
The board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Police Department and the Plymouth Community School Corporation (PCSC) regarding the assignment of School Resource Officers (SRO). Officer Bridget Hite will continue her role as SRO. A second SRO will be provided upon the hire of additional PPD officers.
The nature and scope of the SRO duties and responsibilities include assisting the School’s Director of Safety and Security (DOSS), Ted Brown, with the development and implementation of a school safety plan that protects against outside threats to the physical safety of students, prevents unauthorized access to school property, and secures schools against violence and natural disasters.
The SRO also consults with local law enforcement officials and first responders when assisting the DOSS in the development with the School Safety Plan. The SRO also bears the responsibility to perform any other necessary and proper tasks as designated by the Plymouth Police Department or PCSC.
Pursuant to Indiana Code 20-26-18.2-3, SRO Police Powers include the power to make an arrest, conduct a search or a seizure of a person or property using the reasonable suspicion standard, carry a firearm on or off school property, and exercise other police powers with respect to the enforcement of Indiana laws.
A SRO has jurisdiction in every county where a school operates or where the students reside.
Training for a SRO includes instruction regarding the skills, tactics and strategies necessary to address the special nature of school campuses and school building needs and characteristics.
The MOU also increases compensation paid by PCSC from $37,000 a year to $50,000. The MOU also shortens the renewal length from three years to two years which allows the City of Plymouth to stay on top of changing salary needs.
PCSC also approved the agreement during their regular School Board meeting in June.
