On March 9, 2018, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed into law SB 7026, "the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act" (Florida State Statute §1006.12, Safe-School Officers at each Public School). This law requires all Florida School Districts to staff one Police Officer at every district-operated school for the start of school on August 13, 2018.
A letter was sent out by the Palm Beach County School District stating that it was unable to hire and train 75 Sworn Police Officers by August in order to comply with Florida State Statute §1006.12, and that it was looking to contract with local Law Enforcement Agencies to staff the Elementary Schools within their respective jurisdictions. A similar request was made to 11 municipalities as well as the Sheriff's Office. This emergency request is consistent with the existing Mutual Aid Agreement that exists between all Palm Beach County Law Enforcement Agencies.
A Riviera Beach Police Officer will cover each of the four Elementary Schools in Riviera Beach. The hours will be from 7:30 AM until 2:30 PM (seven hours per day, per school), and Police Officers will work on an overtime basis.
The proposed Agreement establishes a billable rate based on the median overtime rate of Officers and Sergeants. The rate includes FICA, Pension, and Workers Comp. The City will invoice the School District monthly and will receive payment within 30 days. The Riviera Beach Police Department will submit, in writing, a new billable rate before April 1st of each calendar year.
Officers will be required to complete a one-hour online training prior to working at the schools.