NCJ Number
87952
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Police officers in Wichita, Kansas and Denver come to the local schools to take part in police-school liaison programs in which they join teachers in talking about law-related issues in an effort to counter the deterioration in relationships among police, schools, and the community.
Abstract
The police officers and classroom teachers work together to increase student comprehension of ordinances and laws. In addition, the police liaison officers act as troubleshooters for problems among youth who otherwise might begin a pattern of delinquency. Establishing these programs required trust among school staff for the program, a cooperative police department, and an organizer with the confidence of both groups. Organizing requires gathering support, funds, and curriculum materials; and arranging for training sessions and classroom scheduling. Police and teachers who are already employed can staff the program. The program can also use volunteer professionals without additional costs. Private or public funding sources or the PTA may also provide money. Teachers and officers should be prepared before the program starts, since teachers and students will quickly lose interest in sloppy efforts. A typical involvement for an officer would be three 50-minute sessions spaced over a week to 10 days. Ideally, the police liaison staff can begin in the elementary schools and continue to work with the students who graduate into secondary schools. Monthly reports can help record activities and contacts. These programs can help develop new understanding between law enforcement officers and the community and can help students see police officers as concerned adults rather than as crisis intervenors.