The Billings Police Department (BPD) has received two donations designated for SRO training. This job specific training is critical to keep all School Resource Officers (SRO) up on current trends in social network bullying, gang activity, drug trafficking and usage, active shooter, suicide and any other special concerns or potential problems that the schools are seeing around the United States.
 
This training will also allow BPD's SRO's to network with other SRO’s to see what are the current trends, concerns, and legislation that may affect our community.  They in turn bring back the knowledge to train and educate our community, department and Youth Courts. The SRO’s role in the school is to provide guidance and support to the school, be role models, enforce laws, provide security and educate the students, staff and the community.
 
Senior, West, Skyview, Central and the Career Center have SROs.  The BPD has two SRO’s that cover all the junior high schools to include, Castle Rock, Riverside, Lewis & Clark and Will James. 
 
In past years the SRO’s have relied heavily on donations to fund the necessary job specific training.  The BPD has received the following donations and is asking for Council's approval to accept.

           $1,000 from the Knights of Columbus
           $   500 from the Yellowstone County Tavern Association

The City Council may:     

• Approve and accept the donations.
• Deny and return the donations.
   

There is no financial impact to the general fund. 

Staff recommends that the City Council approve and accept the $1,500 in donations for SRO training.