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Police in Middle
Schools
Summary of Topic:
Most police officer’s that enter today’s middle schools do so as
School Resource Officer’s, not as disciplinarians whose main purpose
is for safety and criminal purposes. School resource officers take on
many roles, such as teacher, mentor and counselor. School resource
officers most often work to produce strong relationships with students,
as well as to address problems and issues today’s middle level
students face. These officers also provide information and tips that
regard a wide range of topics that affect student’s health and
well-being. Working as a teacher and counselor/mentor, school resource
officers are fully sworn peace officer’s as law enforcement
specialists. All the duties of the school resource officer are designed
to reinforce the goals of the school.
4
Key Ideas:
-Point 1: What are the responsibilities of a School
Resource officer as an educator? (list taken from
http://www.ci.mesa.az.us/police/sro)
Law related education including such topics as:
* The criminal justice system
* Constitutional law
* Today's runaway
* Math in police work
* The juvenile justice system
* Substance abuse
* Drinking and driving
* Fighting
* Hate crimes
* History of law enforcement
* Juvenile rights
* The making of laws
-Point 2: School resource officers exist for more than safety
purposes.
* To build positive relationships between middle level
students and law enforcement officials.
* To work with school officials in addressing problems that
today's middle level students face.
* To provide positive role models and leaders for middle
level students.
* To provide information and presentations to middle level
student about a wide-range of topics that
directly affect their health and well-being.
* To serve as a resource to middle school administration
officials.
* To provide creative solutions to problems and connections
to today's middle school students.
* To be willing to perform any task that will benefit
middle level students and create a better
learning environment in middle level schools.
-Point 3: School Resource Officer's also work as a counselor and
mentor to middle level students. In middle schools, school resource
officers have the opportunity to create lasting impressions on
middle level students. They can provide tutoring and guidance to middle level
students seeking advice and help. Most school resource officer's have
taken several training class that enable them to provide
informal counseling to students and faculty of middle schools. As
counselors, school resource officers can help in resolving conflicts and
problems. School resource officer's can build a strong rapport with
middle level students by working closely with them. By having these relationships,
middle level students are more likely to approach a school resource
officer with questions, and utilize them as an effective resource for
questions and advice.
-Point 4: Above all else, School Resource Officers are fully
sworn police officers. The SRO proactively addresses crimes that occur
on campus, through education and special projects. The National
Association of School Resource Officers defines s School Resource
Officer as:
"A fully sworn/commissioned law enforcement officer
whose primary assignment is within the local schools for the purpose of
enforcing laws (when applicable), conducting law-related
workshops/presentations to the students, faculty and personnel, and counseling/mentoring
students."
Links and Books:
Click
here for a list of website links and books used while researching
for information to use on this site.
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