Hiring of School Resource Officers

The OJJDP FY 09 Earmarks Programs further the Department's mission by providing grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance authorized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended, to organizations identified in the Explanatory Statement Regarding H.R. 1105 (Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009), 155 Cong. Rec. H1653 (daily ed. Feb. 23, 2009) (statement by Rep. Obey, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of the House).

Officers assigned to the project will be a symbol of order in the school setting. They will set an educational example as opposed to a punitive example and are expected to participate in school activities, coordinate with the DARE officers, become a visible presence both during the school day and during after school activities, become valued and instrumental resources to school counselors, serve as vital members of any crisis team in their schools, and foster conflict and gang mediation. Specific activities in which the officers may be involved include but are not limited to are involvement in school activities including chaperons on trips, sports activities, planning and attending social events, including dances; conflict resolution, peer mediation; attendance and participation at Parent Teacher meetings and activities; training in DARE for K-8 grade and High School curriculum; teaching DARE courses; introduction of personal safety issues, proper use of 911 lines, home safety, crime prevention, danger/stranger programs, gang seminars; monitor those on probation; mentorship programs; anti-drug, alcohol and tobacco education programs and monitoring; anti-violence, anti-graffiti, anti-gang programs; conduct anger management classes; monitor warrant and truancy problems; provide additional security in and around the schools; etc. Progress will be measured by a decrease in the number of juvenile arrests in the community and a decrease in the incidents reported in the District's Violence, Vandalism annual report.

NCA/NCF