NCJ Number
51215
Date Published
1978
Length
95 pages
Annotation
A NINE-UNIT COURSE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT DESIGNED FOR USE AS PART OF THE REGULAR JUNIOR HIGH CURRICULUM COMBINES FACTUAL INFORMATION WITH AN ADULT APPROACH TO INCREASE RESPECT FOR THE LAW. IT HAS REDUCED YOUTH CRIMES RATES.
Abstract
IN AN ATTEMPT TO REDUCE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, THIS POLICE-STUDENT RELATIONS PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED BY THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY (MARYLAND) PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN COOPERATION WITH THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT UNDER A LEAA GRANT. THE COURSE IS TAUGHT BY A REGULAR SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER TO A REGULAR CLASS AND NOT JUST TO PREDELINQUENTS OR DELINQENTS. OCCASIONAL GUEST APPEARANCES ARE MADE BY POLICE OFFICERS. THE STUDENTS LEARN WHAT THE LAW IS AND HOW POLICE OFFICERS ENFORCE THE LAW. THEY CONDUCT SAMPLE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, MAKE MOCK COURT APPEARANCES IN THE ROLE OF THE POLICE OFFICER, AND OTHERWISE RECEIVE INSIGHT INTO THE WORKINGS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO AVOID AUTHORITARIANISM OR AN 'OFFICER FRIENDLY' APPROACH. THE CURRICULUM WAS TESTED IN THE EIGHTH GRADE AT 10 JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS, AND IT WAS FOUND THAT OFFENSE RATES DROPPED FROM 28 TO 21 IN THE TEST SCHOOLS WHILE OFFENSE RATES ROSE FOM 29 TO 56 IN THE CONTROL SCHOOLS. RECIDIVISM RATES AMONG KNOWN JUVENILE OFFENDERS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY FROM A BASE RATE OF 22 TO 2 POSTCURRICULUM. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COURSE INCREASED RESPECT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AS A PROFESSION AND ALSO TAUGHT STUDENTS VALUABLE THINKING AND ANALYTICAL SKILLS. TABLES PRESENT AN OVERVIEW OF THE LESSON PLANS WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR ADAPTATION TO MEET SPECIFIC SCHOOL NEEDS. TABLES PRESENT EVALUATION DATA. AN APPENDIX PROVIDES ACTUAL CURRICULUM MATERIAL SAMPLES. COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL ARE ANSWERED. GUIDELINES FOR SETTING UP PROGRAMS IN LOCAL SCHOOL ARE ESTABLISHED. (GLR)