School Resource Officers for Bullying Interventions: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

• NCJ Number: 239403
• Journal: Journal of School Violence Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: January - March 2012 Pages: 38-55
• Author(s): Rebecca A. Robles-Pina; Magdalena A. Denham
• Date Published: January 2012
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and perceptions of school resource officers (SROs) about bullying prevention strategies.

Abstract

The number of school police officers, School Resource Officers (SROs), is increasing on school campuses to assist in preventing school violence, and in particular bullying. This mixed-methods study was conducted to compare the knowledge and perceptions of SROs (N=184) hired by independent school districts (ISD SROs) and those contracted from law enforcement agencies (CSROs) about their knowledge and perceptions about bullying interventions. By comparison, ISD SROs were more aware than CSROs about knowledge of school bullying plans, the need for social skills training, enforcing existing school policies regarding bullying intervention strategies, and using more conflict resolution strategies. Additionally, ISD SROs were less likely to use punitive law enforcement strategies than were CSROs. Published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.