The DPS Board of Education (BoE) approved a resolution in the summer of 2020 to end all SRO contracts with the Denver Police Department (DPD). Part of the reasoning for this decision is the belief that the close proximity of law enforcement to students on campuses directly contributes to the school-to-prison pipeline. Studies show that Black and Brown students arrested for minor school infractions are more likely to end up in the adult criminal system, entrenching the school-to-prison pipeline.
Our commitment to student safety has not changed. There is nothing more important than all of our students feeling safe, cared for, and protected in our schools. Our students need to trust the adults who are on our campuses with them. As we make this gradual transition, we will work closely with school leaders, staff, parents/families and students in the coming weeks to understand and prioritize their needs to ensure the safety of students, staff and communities.
Interactions with the Denver Police Department will continue past the SRO transition from DPS schools. We are committed to ensuring that our schools affected by this change will continue to receive a high-quality service with consistency in the responding police officers who are prepared to support students and schools.
With the 2020-2021 school year ending, the first phase of the work that was launched through the SRO Transition Board resolution has wrapped up. You can find the presentation to the Board on the implementation of the resolution directives below along with the SRO Transition project report.
- Recording of Board presentation (6/7) (00:12 – 41:50)
- SRO Transition project report
Through the implementation of the SRO Transition resolution during SY 2020-2021, we have taken an important step in dismantling the school to prison pipeline, generated wealth of context and insights to inform future decision-making and built a runway for continuation of this critical work. However, we have so much more work to do. It will take intentionality, thoughtful planning, accountability and meaningful engagement & partnership with the community to build on the work we have begun to reach the next milestone in dismantling the school to prison pipeline.