CAMDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

Security          
Department

          
201 N. Front Street, Camden, NJ 08102, Tel.: 856.966.2101/2102 Fax: 856.966.2144
8568856856856966856.966.2522 85856.966.222 856.966.2522

B. LeFra Young, Ph. D

Superintendent
To: Policy Committee Members
David Shafter
School Business Adm. From: Mr. Thomas Hewes-Eddinger
Security
Thomas Hewes-Eddinger
Date: January 9, 2009
Chief of Security
Subject: School Board Policy Committee Meeting, Wednesday, January 14, 2009.
Josephine Garcia
Operations Officer Attached are numerous folders concerning Policy and Procedural issues
Curtis Surratt
pertaining to the Security Department.
Operations Officer
Let me begin with a Professional Statement as to the function of Security in any
Pamela Christy organization, public or private.
Clerk
Every organization begins with a “Mission Statement”. For the Camden City
                
School District, that mission is to provide the best education possible for the children of
this city. The accepted practice of security in any organization is the protection of the
organizations’ mission. In this case, it is the protection of people and property from
internal and external threats. It needs to be understood that security is not part of the
education process, but exists to protect the process.

In addition, security is a fluid and pro-active process that depends on daily, and
at times, hourly deployment changes in staffing to meet the immediate need of the
district.

At present, the security department staffing has 120 full- time security officer
positions and 5 part- time substitute positions assigned proportionately throughout the
district at all schools and the Administration building. Supervision within the
department consists of 2 middle management positions called Operations Officers.
Their oversight responsibility begins with one of the two main high schools and includes
all the elementary and middle schools that feed those respective high schools, along with
an even split of the remaining alternative schools. There is no security department
supervision at the individual school level. However, there exists an unsanctioned, yet
understood “lead Officer” position in those schools with more than one officer.

Current Administrative policy dictates that officers report to and receive daily
deployment instructions from the individual school administrators. It is understood that
security staff are assigned to the individual principal and it is the accepted practice that
such staff are the sole possession of that principal and school. This practice has been
verbally stated to me by a variety of principals and is sustained by the security officers
written job description established by Human Resources. As a result, there is a level of
administrative resistance that prevents the security department from deploying security
staff permanently or to meet an emergent need.
 Past practice for the hiring of security staff was fraternal. The qualifications for
the position are minimal at best and the pre-screening process of applicants is well
below industry standards.
Current staff training is scattered around a variety of “made-up” courses taught
by uncertified instructors. Training records within the department are non-existent. The
absence of sanctioned training courses and properly maintained training records leaves
the district vulnerable to civil action.

Uniformed officers are issued a list of clothing choices to design their individual
uniform not to exceed $300.00. In reviewing the appearance of the staff, many look like
“street thugs” (i.e. Sean John/Roca Wear black hooded sweatshirts, multi-colored
sneakers, tactical pants, wool caps, etc.). This is inappropriate for the position they hold.

As you can see, the security department is a dysfunctional entity that possesses
no clear mission, operates well outside of industry standards and is manipulated on a
daily basis by dozens of administrators whose individual concept of security takes
precedent over a district-wide concept established and implemented by security
professionals.

This department needs restructuring in the form of established policies and

procedures set forth by the Governing Board and not by “Past Practice” or “that’s the
way things are done”. The Board needs to create an independent department free of
interference from school administrators, establish a security department “Mission
Statement” and provide the necessary staffing, supervision, internal discipline and
resources necessary to implement the mission.

Listed below are some of the more pertinent issues facing the department and
requiring quicker Board action.

1. Change of title from School Law Enforcement Officer to School

Security Officer.
2. Restructure the departments’ Chain of Command and reporting
system.
3. Improve the Hiring Process with; qualifications that include:
• High School Diploma
• Prior Military Experience
• Enrolled in a continuing Education Program

Pre-Screening that Includes:

• Panel Interview
• Written and Oral demonstration of communication skills
• Alcohol and Drug Screening
• Pass a medical and physical exam
• Pass a psychological Exam
4. Create mandatory basic and in-service training and a departmental record
keeping system.
5. Approve standards for Ethics and Accountability that include a Code of
Conduct and a Standardized Disciplinary Process.
6. Allow for an easier “at will” process of non-renewal of Security staff
and…
 7. Establish a uniform dress code and insignias’.
8. Approve a standard “Use of Force” Policy.

Cc: Dr. Young, Superintendent

Mr. Mills, Deputy Superintendent