The Committee on Policing and Safeguarding our Schools…

The Committee on Policing and Safeguarding our Schools (C-PASS) is dedicated to fostering a safer, more secure learning environment through prevention, collaboration, and education. By uniting law enforcement, educators, and communities, they aim to enhance school safety by providing comprehensive training, sharing best practices, and building strong partnerships. Their mission is to be a leading resource and model organization for school-police collaboration across New York State, empowering school communities and School Resource Officers with the tools, knowledge, and leadership necessary to safeguard students, staff, and the broader community. Oneida County Sheriff's Lieutenant, Carey Phair has recently accepted a position on the Committee Board for C-PASS representing our region in the statewide Organization. Last week Lieutenant Phair, Sergeant Avard, Deputy Cadwell, Deputy Houle, and Deputy Sack attended the annual C-PASS Conference, hosted by the Committee on Policing and Safeguarding our Schools and sponsored by the New York State Sheriff's Association. The annual 3-day conference brought together over 200 School Resource Officers, Deputies, Law Enforcement Partners, and School Administrators from across New York State for the common goal of protecting and keeping our children safe in schools. There were speakers from around the Country and New York State that covered multiple topics. Some of those topics covered during the conference were navigating student sensitivity, engagement in school environments, safety balance and awareness, communications, effective school safety practices, reunification strategies, violence prevention, threat assessment protocols as well as officer wellness and PTSD.