41262

Date: 10/08/84 Revision : 11/27/23 Reviewed: 03/13/25 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER, SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Number: DOS 315.00 Page: 1 of 6 SUBJECT: SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD PROGRAM GUIDELINES I. PURPOSE : The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to define guidelines for the School Crossing Guard Program. II. SCOPE : This procedure shall apply to the School Crossing Guard Program and contracted personnel. III. DISCUSSION : The School Crossing Guard Program provides highly visible representatives of the Sheriff's Office who are responsible for the safety of school children at established street crossings near schools before and after school hour s. IV. DEFINITIONS : A. School Crossing Guard - A part -time civilian employee assigned to perform manual traffic control that improves the safety of school children as they cross designated street crossings and intersections. * B. School Crossing Guard Program Area Crossing Guard - A part -time civilian employee assigned to assist with the supervision and oversight of designated operations, logistics, and administrative matters of the School Crossing Guard Program. * C. School Crossing Guard Program Manager - A civilian employee assigned to assist with the supervision and oversight of all operations, logistics, and administrative matters of the School Crossing Guard Program. * D. School Crossing Guard Program Supervisor - A civilian employee assigned to assist the Crossing Guard Program Manager with the supervision and oversight of all operations, logistics, and administrative matters of the School Crossing Guard Program. V. PROCEDURE : A. School crossing guard emplo yees shall provide for the safety of school children at designated school crossings near designated elementary schools. B. School crossing guard employees shall possess the following minimum qualifications: 1. At time of employment, applicant must be 18 years of age or older. 2. Applicant must be free from defects in color vision and hearing. 3. Applicant must pass a background investigation, which includes a fingerprint check, and have no felony arrest record or any misdemeanor criminal record which , in the determination of the Sheriff's Office , would bear upon an applicant's fitness for the position. 4. Applicant must be physically able to stand at his/her assigned post for the duration of the work period. 5. Pass a pre -empl oyment fitness -for-duty evaluation. 6. All applicants are required to take and pass an alcohol /drug screening test as a condition of employment. DOS 315.00 11/27 /23 Page 2 of 6 7. Persons in occupations or professions likely to have potential conflicts of interest shall not be eligib le for selection as a school crossing guard. The following categories are examples of ineligibility: a. Persons currently employed by private companies as guards, investigators, security officers, loss prevention officers, or currently employed in any capacity that falls under the Florida Statute definition of a “security officer” (F lorida Statute 493.6101). b. Members of other police organizations. c. Bail bondsmen, attorneys, or their employees and investigators. d. Employees and investigators of the State Attorney’s Office. C. Terms of Employment 1. School crossing guards and area crossing guard s are employed on a part -time basis. Each employment contract shall be for the duration of a single school year and a renewal contr act shall be considered each year prior to the start of the school year. 2. A pay rate shall be established annually by the Sheriff and prior to the beginning of the school year. 3. The pay for school crossing guards and area crossing guard s shall be b ased only upon time worked while on duty. 4. Pay periods shall be established by the Sheriff. 5. School crossing guards shall maintain the minimum qualifications for the position. D. School crossing guards are assigned to posts where hazards exist for school children. Unexcused tardiness or absence shall be treated as a violation of the school crossing guard’s employment agreement subjecting the violator to progressive disciplinary action(s) and possible dismissal. 1. School crossing guards shall notify the school crossing guard manager or school crossing guard supervisor at least one hour prior to reporting time he/she will be absent from the assigned post. 2. The school crossing guard shall be responsible for ascertaining the name of the person contacted when notifying the Sheriff's Office of an absence. * 3. Failure to notify the school crossing guard program manager or school crossing guard program supervisor at least one hour prior to the reporting time for duty at an assigned post may be cause for progressive disciplinary action(s) and possible dismissal. 4. Failure to work an assigned post more than two days within a one-month period may require physician's verification of illness or documentation of emergency circumstances. Failure to provide such proof of illness or emergency to the school crossing guard program manager or a Community Outreach Division supervisor may be cause for progressive disciplinary a ction(s) and possible dismissal. 5. Repeat absences from duty (other than on authorized leave or absence) may be cause for progressive disciplinary action(s) and possible dismissal. E. Authorized Absence - Leave of absence requests for exigent circums tances shall be considered on an individual basis. F. Resignations - A minimum of two weeks’ notice of resignation shall be given to the school crossing guard manager or a Community Outreach Division supervisor except when precluded by emergency. DOS 315.00