SSO/School Admin./SRO SSO/School Admin./SRO Relations Relations

Presented

for

Lawrence Public Schools

School Safety Officers

© 23-25 August 2005

Lawrence, Massachusetts

Module Learning Goal

It is the goal of this module of instruction for students of the Lawrence, Public Schools SSO class to have an understanding of

the educational environment in which those officers will work and provide practical

applications of that knowledge.

Module Learning Objectivesupon successful completion of this two (2) hour module of instruction students of Lawrence Public Schools SSO Course will:

Discern the cultural differences between law enforcement and education Identify situations whereby school staff will take charge of situations Demonstrate positive strategies of the SSO working within education and with Police Discuss the roles of SSO’s, school administrators and

“ “ You can’t know what I knowYou can’t know what I know nor feel what I feel nor feel what I feel

until you have walked a mile in until you have walked a mile in my moccasins “my moccasins “

Native American ProverbNative American Proverb

CULTURE DEFINEDCULTURE DEFINED

The total way of life of a people The social inheritance the individual

acquires from his group. A way of thinking, feeling, and believing. A mechanism for the customary

regulation of behavior. Systems of meaning

The primary attitudes and behaviors that differentiate the functioning of a group or organization

Culture can also be defined as Culture can also be defined as the behaviors and beliefs the behaviors and beliefs

surrounding a particular group. surrounding a particular group. It is people acting on their It is people acting on their

beliefs.beliefs.

Defines the personal attributes that are regarded as essential to model and promote by all employees of the system.

Professional Culture v.

Organizational Culture

How do you measure an How do you measure an organization’s culture?organization’s culture?

By what the members do when no one is watching.

Are there differences between Education and

Law Enforcement?

Are there Commonalities Amongst Educationand Law Enforcement?

Are police resistant to change?Are police resistant to change?

Are teachers resistant to change?

CHANGE IS INEVITABLEGROWTH IS OPTIONAL

Implications for School Safety Officers and Law Enforcement

Officers in a School Setting

Implications for Education Administrators having an SRO

and SSO Program

SCENARIOS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION

Narcotics section of PD want to set up a controlled buy-bust at lunch time on school grounds. No one at school is notified ahead of time, including the SSOs or the SRO.

SCENARIOS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION

A Middle School SSO learns from a 7th A Middle School SSO learns from a 7th grade female student that an unmarried grade female student that an unmarried male teacher has been having sex with male teacher has been having sex with her female classmate on weekends at the her female classmate on weekends at the teacher’s home. teacher’s home.

Should that SSO begin an investigation? Should that SSO begin an investigation? What else can be done? What else can be done?

SCENARIOS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION

You, the SSO, have caught a high school student in school with 4 ounces of cannabis. The principal wants you to give him a break in exchange for giving the principal information about a cheating scheme in school. How would you act in this case? What are your options?

SCENARIOS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION

An SSO uses physical force to disperse a crowd gathered after a fight in the cafeteria has been resolved. Parents complain to the school board of excessive force. Who takes the complaint? Who investigates?

"In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put

the team first-ahead of personal glory. "

Paul “Bear” BryantPaul “Bear” Bryant

“ Coming together is a beginning, staying together is

progress, and working together is success.”

~Henry Ford~

Reality Check

What are the two most What are the two most important lessons you have important lessons you have

learned from this component?learned from this component?

NEXT LEARNING MODULE

SSO Skills for Effective Communication With Kids