School Resource Officers
A law enforcement officer assigned to the school is a liaison position between the police department and the school system, commonly referred to as a School Resource Officer. The Bixby Police Department currently has two officers assigned to the School Resource Officer Program. The School Resource Officer emphasizes on three main areas in the school setting. These areas are functioning as a police officer in the school setting, working as a resource and problem solver, and the development and teaching of skills to the staff and students of that district. The School Resource Officer works to establish a lasting partnership with the schools, the staff, and the students.
The School Resource Officer Program is a Community Based Policing program. School Resource Officers are given the skills necessary to create individual lessons and curriculum based on the needs of the schools served. Members of the Bixby Police Department School Resource Officer Program are certified D.A.R.E. officers. These officers teaches the D.A.R.E. program to students in the 5th and 7th grades.
School Resource Officers are trained to deal with potential problem areas to include Child Abuse, Adolescent Stress, DEysfunctional Families, and working with Children with Special Needs. School Resource Officers are trained on strategies to maintain a safe school environment and focus on areas related to school safety such as assaults, theft, burglary, bomb threats, weapons, alcohol and drug incidents. This is done through crisis planning by examining the main points of a school crisis plan and knowing the roles and responsibilities during a crisis or potentially dangerous incident.
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D.A.R.E.
The D.A.R.E. vehicle serves several purposes in reaching juveniles through the D.A.R.E. program. First, it allows students to see what they can achieve if they make good choices. Secondly, the brightly decorated vehicle is appealing to students because it stands out. Students like things that are special or different from the norm.
The D.A.R.E. vehicle also acts as an icebreaker. It gives the officer and the students an opportunity to have a conversation about something they have an equal interest in. Once a line of communication is open, the opportunities are endless.
The D.A.R.E. vehicle also catches the attention of the general public. The D.A.R.E. vehicle makes the public aware that we are committed to trying to keep kids drug free. The D.A.R.E. vehicle is becoming more and more recognized in the community. Several people have seen the D.A.R.E. vehicle and commented about how much their children are enjoying the program. The D.A.R.E. vehicle is the ultimate community service tool.
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