TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Police |
Chief Darrell Lowe |
425-556-2521 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Police |
Brian Coats |
Deputy Chief |
TITLE:
title
Approval of the Lake Washington School District 2026-2027 School Community Resource Officer Contract Agreement
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
Staff is requesting Council approval to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Redmond and the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) for continued police services during the 2026-2027 school year.
The Redmond Police Department remains committed to supporting a strong, collaborative partnership with LWSD. Based on input from police staff and Council, the district transitioned from the traditional School Resource Officer (SRO) program to a Community Resource Officer (CRO) model beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.
The attached MOU formalizes the continuation of the CRO program and extends police support through the end of the 2026-2027 academic year.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
LWSD MOU
LWSD Standard Operating Procedures
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
The renewed agreement will continue the existing police services provided to the Lake Washington School District and formalize the ongoing partnership through adherence to the district’s Community Resource Officer Standard Operating Procedure Manual. The SOP, developed collaboratively by LWSD and all law enforcement agencies serving the district, establishes clear expectations designed to strengthen communication, cooperation, and mutual understanding among CROs, school administrators, and students.
Key outcomes of this partnership include: alignment with the district’s Layered School Safety framework; a defined scope of CRO responsibilities emphasizing safety, threat assessment support, and non-involvement in routine school discipline; consistent data collection and reporting; adherence to anti-discrimination and immigration-related protections; and standardized training and accountability processes.
These outcomes reinforce the district’s five stated goals for the CRO program: enhancing safety expertise, improving interagency understanding, keeping students out of the criminal justice system, fostering positive relationships, and connecting students and families with needed community services.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
N/A
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
This agreement will allow the City to receive $126,637.06 from LWSD for services provided by the assigned Community Resource Officer for the 2026-2027 school year.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
228 Criminal Justice
Budget Priority:
Safe and Resilient
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
7/21/2026 |
Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
The approved contract will commence at the beginning of the school year and remain effective for nine months.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
The police department would be unable to invoice and collect payment from LWSD for police services rendered during the 2026-2027 school year and would remove the full-time school position.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: 2026-2027 LWSD/Redmond MOU
Attachment B: LWSD Standard Operating Procedure Manual