School Safety and Security Staff

Contact Information

Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1214 (2021–22) Session Law(link is external) expanded and clarified previous legislation to include all school safety and security staff personnel. So, the name of the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program has been expanded to the School Safety and Security Staff Program. The legislature notes that schools should be a place in which all youth feel safe. With racial equity as a central component of safety and security planning, it is imperative that all school safety and security staff not contribute to an unsafe environment for Black youth and youth of color.

Second Substitute House Bill 1216 (2019–20) Session Law(link is external) initially created requirements and definitions around an optional School Resource Officer (SRO) Program. The Program was codified into state law as RCW 28A.320.124(link is external).

Resources

 

Training Requirements

School Safety and Security Staff training requirements include:

  • Completion of training on all 13 mandated topics within 6 months of starting the position
  • 2 days of on the job training and 6 check-ins with identified, experienced staff

SRO training requirements include:

  • Completion of training on all 13 mandated topics within 6 months of employment as an SRO
  • 2 days of on the job training

Washington's 9 Educational Service Districts (ESDs) are required to develop and administer an annual Safety and Security Staff Training Program that meets the training requirements. Classroom training can be done remotely or in person, synchronously or asynchronously. Trainings may be provided on a fee-for-service basis and should be self-supporting. The ESDs must also develop and publish guidelines for on-the-job training, check-in training, and verify and provide documentation that training has been completed.

For current information on existing training materials for School Safety and Security Staff, see the Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD) Comprehensive School Safety Services & School Safety/Security Training Webpage.

Data Requirements

School districts with School Safety and Security Staff Programs are required to annually collect data on their program and submit that data to OSPI. The basic data to be collected includes:

  • Total number of safety and security staff working in the district
  • Number of staff in each school building
  • Number of days per week that each staff works
  • Name of any law enforcement agency or private organization which provides personnel
  • A description of each incident where this staff was involved that resulted in student discipline, use of force against a student, or a student arrest
  • Demographic information about the student
  • Number of complaints filed against this staff

OSPI may add a requirement for other information about the program. In addition to the information above, school districts must annually submit any agreements required by this act to OSPI.

Safety & Security Staffing data for the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 school years is available upon request. You can email School Safety to request access.

Policy and Procedure Requirements

Districts with School Safety and Security Staff Programs are required to have a policy and procedures in place regarding their program. Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) created Washington's Model Policy and Procedure.

Memorandum of Agreement Guidance

Districts with School Safety and Security Staff Programs are required to annually review and adopt an agreement with the law enforcement agency or security guard company. The agreement must be adopted using a process that involves parents, students, and community members. The agreement must:

  • Meet the requirements in the policy and procedure
  • Include a jointly determined hiring and placement process and a performance evaluation process
  • Confirm the staff have completed the training series, or a plan to complete the training series
  • Be annually submitted to OSPI and must be made publicly available.

Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Guidance Template

SRO-Specific Background Information