Positive School Safety Program for School Officers
Approximately 50% of U.S. students attend schools with police presence, and that number is growing each year. Although police presence is designed to enhance school safety, research suggests it may not make school safer and, instead, may compromise school climate and increase arrests of students--particularly students of color--for low-level misbehavior.
To address these concerns, the Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab works with school districts and law enforcement to rethink the role of the school officer, restructure officer expectations, and provide officers with training to produce positive outcomes for youth and school communities while also protecting school safety.
The lab also conducts research on school policing practices, officer perceptions, and organizational readiness for change to inform this applied work.
To address these concerns, the Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab works with school districts and law enforcement to rethink the role of the school officer, restructure officer expectations, and provide officers with training to produce positive outcomes for youth and school communities while also protecting school safety.
The lab also conducts research on school policing practices, officer perceptions, and organizational readiness for change to inform this applied work.
