Multiple Partnerships Involved in Working with Schools:

Police Officer as a Partner to the School Security

Many schools have civilian school security personnel. Security personnel should be seen as a great asset to an officer working with a school instead of a threat to their authority. Police officers and school security personnel have different roles and responsibilities in a school environment. School security handles many tasks that an officer would not do in a school, from minor discipline problems to in–school suspension observer. The work of the school security staff allows the officer to concentrate on enforcement of laws, school rules, and work as a counselor and teacher. School security personnel are also a wealth of information about the students. Many crimes have been solved by the knowledge provided by security personnel. Students, even more than your average criminal, tend to talk about everything to include any illegal activities that they may have engaged in. Security personnel often hear that type of information when it is being discussed. They also know who associates with whom and may be able to provide important information.