How to resolve AdBlock issue? CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council on Thursday approved a new agreement with the Konocti Unified School District that will provide two school resource officers.
Until now, the Clearlake Police Department has provided just one school resource officer to the district.
However, the new memorandum of understanding, which will cover the 2025-26 school year, adds a second officer.
Police Chief Tim Hobbs told the council that Konocti Unified has paid to cover the school resource officer, and the district will cover the second officer as well.
Hobbs said the program has been successful for the school district, and that it relieves patrol staff while allowing a dedicated and trained school resource officer to work at the schools.
He said it allows broader coverage across the district’s nine schools — located in Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks and Lower Lake, with improved response times.
The program offers increased officer visibility and deterrence against threats and other criminal activity, Hobbs said.
With the addition of the second officer, Hobbs said it allows for continuity of services if one of the officers is out.
He said student resource officers built trust and relationships with students, and early intervention helps reduce suspensions, expulsions and criminal conduct, and allows educational initiatives such as drug resistance and anti-bullying.
Hobbs said the one school resource officer is stretched very thin, and the addition of the second will allow far more proactive engagement.
The Clearlake Police Department’s staffing allows for the two officers to be assigned full-time to the school district, Hobbs said.
There also is no financial impact to the police department, as Konocti Unified is willing to pay $160,992.62 to fund each of the two full-time school resource officers. That amount includes salary, benefits, overtime, training and vehicle usage costs, according to Hobbs’ written report.
He told the council the city also can recover additional overtime costs for other officers used at school events.
In a letter to the council read by City Manager Alan Flora, Konocti Unified Superintendent Dr. Becky Salato — who was unable to attend the council meeting because she was at the district’s Alternative Education graduation event — expressed the district’s strong support for the MOU with the city and the placement of a second school resource officer.
“Our shared commitment to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming learning environment for all students is critical.The presence of a School Resource Officer on campus has proven to be a valuable asset in promoting school safety, building positive relationships between students and law enforcement, and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration,” Salato said.
Salato said that, over the past two years, the school resource officer program has enhanced the district’s ability to respond proactively to safety concerns, supported efforts to help students in crisis intervention, and provided educational outreach opportunities on issues such as drug prevention, internet safety and responsible citizenship.
She said the officer also has served as a mentor and role model for students, “helping to build meaningful connections that support both academic success and personal development.”
Salato offered thanks to Hobb for his leadership and support, noting that he and his department “are always supportive of our district and most importantly our students. This continued partnership is priceless.”
“I love this. I love the addition to it,” said Supervisor Bruno Sabatier during public comment.
Sabatier said he wanted the city to have a discussion about which law enforcement agency — Clearlake Police or the Lake County Sheriff’s Office — is responsible for the Lower Lake area, noting that Clearlake Police has been responding even when it’s not on school grounds, even though the agreement is only for supporting schools during school hours.
He said it feels like Lower Lake is part of Clearlake Police’s jurisdiction because of the memorandum of understanding, adding he wants the sheriff’s office to be more proactive.
“We would like for that as well,” said Mayor Russell Cremer.
Vice Mayor Dirk Slooten moved to approve the agreement, with Council member Mary Wilson offering the second and the council voting 4-0.
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