Chapter Title 1 An Inclusive Approach to School Safety Collaborative Efforts to Combat the School-to-Prison Pipeline in Denver Chapter Title i This project was supported, in whole or in part, by grant number 2015-CK-WX-0015 awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The opinions contained herein are those of the author(s) or contributor(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. References to specific individuals, agencies, companies, products, or services should not be considered an endorsement by the author(s) or the U.S. Department of Justice. Rather, the references are illustrations to supplement discussion of the issues. The internet references cited in this publication were valid as of the date of publication. Given that URLs and websites are in constant flux, the author(s) cannot vouch for their current validity. Recommended citation: Police Executive Research Forum. 2018. An Inclusive Approach to School Safety: Collaborative Efforts to Combat the School-to-Prison Pipeline in Denver. Washington, DC: Police Executive Research Forum. Published 2018 ISBN: 978-1-934485-44-6 Contents Acknowledgments . v Letter from the Executive Director of PERF . vii Executive Summary . 1 Overview . 1 Prevention . 2 Intervention . 2 Reengagement . 3 Summary of Recommendations . 3 Conclusion . 5 Introduction . 6 Efforts to Prevent Justice System Involvement in Response to Negative Behavior in Denver Public Schools . .10 Overhauling the disciplinary process . 11 Infusing restorative practices in classroom management . 12 Training resources for teachers . 13 Mental health support resources for students . 16 Office of Family and Community Engagement home visit program . 17 “Bridging the Gap” Forums—Fostering Dialogue between Young People and Police Officers . 20 Structure of the Forums . 20 Promising practices . 22 Efforts from Police and Safety Officers to Prevent Harmful Student Conduct . 28 Implementation of the intergovernmental agreement . 28 A culture of trust . 30 Training and professional development . 33 Community Efforts to Prevent Juvenile Delinquency . 36 Youth Empowerment Support Services (YESS) Institute . 36 The Bridge Project . 37 Immediate Safety Steps for SROs and CSOs . 40 Students can turn to SROs and CSOs when interventions are required . 40 Promising practices and lessons learned in CSO and SRO interventions . 42 Restorative Interventions in Denver Public Schools—Finding Ways to Resolve Conflict and Keep Kids in School . 46 Diversion Programs in Denver . 50 AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO SCHOOL SAFETY iv Collaborative Efforts to Combat the School-to-Prison Pipeline in Denver Denver District Attorney Youth Diversion Program . 50 Denver Juvenile Municipal Court Diversion program . 53 School-based informal diversion: East High School suspension deferral program . 54 Community Intervention . 56 Reengagement . 58 Promoting Academics & Character Education . 58 The Transitions Team and Alternative School Options . .. 60 Denver Juvenile Probation . 63 Conclusion . 68 Appendix A . Key Organizations, Stakeholders, and Documents . 73 Organizations . 73 Individual stakeholders . 74 Key documents . 76 Appendix B . Denver Public Schools Discipline Matrix . 77 Appendix C . Denver Public Schools Discipline Ladder . 78 Bibliography . 79 About PERF . 85 Acknowledgments PERF would like to thank the COPS Office for supporting this examination of the Denver Police Department’s community-led approach to school safety. We are grateful to the COPS Office, which recognized the importance of this issue and provided encouragement and guidance throughout the project. PERF also is grateful to Chief Robert White of the Denver Police Department (DPD) for providing access to his agency and personnel during February and March of 2016. In addition, we are thankful for the efforts of Commander Paul Pazen of the DPD and Chief Mike Eaton of the Denver Public Schools Department of Safety, each of whom was instrumental in connecting us to stakeholders involved in school safety in the Denver area. Special thanks also go to Gia Irlando at Denver’s Office of the Independent Monitor, who facilitated the team’s examination of the Bridging the Gap: Kids and Cops program and provided continued support in introducing the team to Denver community groups. The practitioners interviewed for this project were all incredibly generous with their time and expertise, and they helped define the critical issues that are addressed in this report. Together, their insights were invaluable to this project, and their collaborative efforts are a model for the country. Finally, credit is due to PERF staff members who conducted the site visits, interviewed practitioners, and helped write and edit this publication, including Director of Technical Assistance Jessica Toliver, Senior Research Associate Lisa Mantel, Research Associates Maggie Brunner and Rachael Arietti, Research Assistant Adam Kemerer, and Director of Communications Craig Fischer. Letter from the Executive Director of PERF Violent incidents in America’s public schools have prompted educators, parents, and policymakers to closely examine school environments and develop policies and practices to ensure the safety of the school community. While high-profile incidents, such as the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, have driven much of the national concern for school security efforts, a significant percentage of American students are subjected to violent conditions in their everyday school experiences. In an effort to provide safer environments for students, many school districts around the country have partnered with law enforcement agencies to assign dedicated police officers (known as School Resource Officers) to schools to deter violence and to intervene in incidents that escalate beyond the control of educators. However, advocates across the country have expressed concern that SROs may inadvertently contribute to the “school-to-prison pipeline,” in which minor behavioral issues in schools that would not ordinarily result in criminal charges are moved into the criminal justice system as a direct result of police involvement in managing student behavior. Incidents captured on video in Richland County, South Carolina,1 and Baltimore, Maryland,2 revealed uses of force by SROs that have drawn national attention, highlighting this issue. With such high stakes related to court involvement at an early age,3 law enforcement agencies and school administrators must ensure that removals from school by suspension, expulsion, or arrest are strictly options of last resort. Careful integration of SROs within a system of educators, service providers, and juvenile justice system partners may have the potential to ensure school safety and promote better educational outcomes for students.4 In February and March of 2016, PERF staff members traveled to Denver to observe the work of the Denver Police Department, Denver Public Schools, and several community-based organizations that have worked to improve outcomes for students in the Denver area. PERF staff had the pleasure of observing an innovative police/youth dialogue forum and conducting informational interviews with dozens of key stakeholders involved in the prevention and treatment of student behavioral issues. Through these observations and discussions, PERF has documented the activities of multiple government agencies and partner organizations collaborating in the Denver area to address the school-to-prison pipeline in this publication. Together, these stakeholders have each contributed to a city-wide effort to improve academic and professional outcomes for Denver students. The partnerships established between the Denver Police Department, Denver Public Schools, Denver Juvenile Probation, Denver District Attorney’s Office, and community groups in the Denver area are a model for public safety collaboration in service of our youth population. 1 . Yan, “South Carolina School Officer Fired .” 2 . Sanchez, “Baltimore School Officers on Leave .” 3 . Fabelo et al ., Breaking Schools’ Rules . 4 . Canady, James, and Nease, To Protect & Educate . AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO SCHOOL SAFETY viii Collaborative Efforts to Combat the School-to-Prison Pipeline in Denver This publication provides guidance to jurisdictions across the country that are looking to implement similar programs or improve upon existing programs. The officers, educators, and community stakeholders highlighted in this report have worked to increase the opportunities for all students in Denver. By taking an active role in preventing the potentially negative consequences associated with police intervention in schools, together we can address the school-to-prison pipeline and strengthen our communities. Sincerely, Chuck Wexler Executive Director Police Executive Research Forum Executive Summary Overview The Denver Police Department (DPD), Denver Public Schools (DPS), and community organizations in the Denver area have built a collaborative approach to school safety and positive youth development designed to combat the school-to- prison pipeline.5 Together, these organizations advocate a comprehensive approach to safety in which schools’ disciplinary policies avoid removing students from the classroom, social service providers are substantively included in ongoing safety efforts,