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Policing From the Schoolhouse: Police-School Liaison and Resource Officer Programs, A Case Study

NCJ Number
109859
Author(s)
M W Scheffer
Date Published
1987
Length
101 pages
Annotation
This study profiles and evaluates the Boise School Resource Officer (SRO) Program (Idaho), a 17-year-old, school-based policing program which provides for a police-school liaison officer to help reduce the incidence and severity of juvenile crime and delinquency in the public schools.
Abstract
This study focuses on the SRO program in the Boise elementary schools. The program description and evaluation, which was begun in January 1985, was based on the observation of 12 schools in which some 53 interviews were conducted with resource officers, students, teachers, and school administrators. The full-time SRO's teach various public safety and criminal justice subjects to students, counsel students, and conduct juvenile investigations. Although the evaluation could not obtain statistical evidence that the program has reduced the incidence and severity of juvenile delinquency, statements by participants and clients indicate the program has positively impacted individuals, the school, and families. Topics covered in this study report include the relationship between students and the resource officers; guidelines for counseling the troubled students; and the importance of SRO selection, training, and evaluation. Recent program changes are described, and recommendations for program improvement are offered. Appendixes contain copies of interview schedules, a juvenile behavior agreement, and a notification-of-rights form.