Milwaukee taking steps to get SROs in schools following $1K-per-day fine
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The city of Milwaukee is playing catch-up after being found in contempt of court for not meeting the deadline to get school resource officers back into Milwaukee Public Schools.
The city is feeling the pressure after a court ordered a $1,000 per day fine if they don't comply and show progress toward getting those SROs in schools.
Friday, a special Milwaukee Common Council meeting was held. A resolution to approve the memorandum of understanding between Milwaukee Public Schools and the city regarding placement of school resource officers in schools was introduced, and then the meeting adjourned.
"Until that MOU is formally signed, and we can work off that document, that’s where all the debate and negotiations were going on," said Steven Johnson, assistant chief with the Milwaukee Police Department.
Per the council process, the memorandum could be introduced today, not approved. That memorandum is set to be further discussed at a special meeting Monday and Mayor Cavalier Johnson says it's a step in the right direction. However, the clock is ticking.
"There's training that has to happen and we had to work with the Milwaukee Public Schools in order to get a memorandum of understanding so that we could move forward," said Mayor Johnson.
Thursday, Judge David Borowski expressed his frustration with the city and MPS, saying they should have gotten SROs in schools months ago.
"I'm not sure what the issue was with the hold up and lots of negotiations back and forth, but I think we are coming to a consensus with the foremost priority being the safety of kids," said Alderwoman Andrea Pratt, on the Milwaukee Common Council.
The next hurdle is getting 25 officers trained to be school resource officers, and MPD says right now they have 21 applicants.
The National Association of School Resource Officers confirms it will send instructors to Milwaukee March 10 to conduct a weeklong training session, which means those officers could be in schools as soon as March 17.
"We've been working on this for some time," said Mayor Johnson. "It takes two to tango. Unfortunately, it's not just the city of Milwaukee that has to work on this. We have to work with Milwaukee Public Schools, too. There were some hiccups, certainly, but I'm glad we are finally here."