The Role of Law Enforcement in K-12 School Safety

By Robert Jordan

The Role of Law Enforcement in K-12 School Safety. School safety is critical for students, parents, educators, and communities. In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the presence of law enforcement officers in K-12 schools, primarily in the form of School Resource Officers (SROs). This trend reflects a growing concern about school violence and a desire to enhance security measures¹. This SITE|SAFETYNET℠ report examines law enforcement’s role in K-12 school safety, exploring its effectiveness, challenges, and alternative approaches.

Current State of Law Enforcement Involvement in K-12 School Safety

In the 2019-2020 school year, approximately half of all K-12 public schools in the United States had an armed police officer present². SROs typically have a variety of responsibilities, including patrolling school grounds and building relationships with students³. They may also be involved in providing law-related education and mentoring students. However, their primary role should be to protect the school from safety threats. It is important to note that there is a lack of uniformity and specificity in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities of SROs, which can lead to inconsistencies in their impact and effectiveness².

In addition to SROs, other law enforcement personnel may be involved in school safety, including:

 

Type of Personnel	Role in School Safety
School security guards	Monitor school grounds and buildings
Patrol officers	Respond to calls for service at schools
Juvenile officers	Investigate crimes involving juveniles

This varied presence of law enforcement in schools highlights the need for clear guidelines and training to ensure consistency and effectiveness.

Effectiveness of Law Enforcement Strategies for School Safety

Despite the widespread presence of SROs, research on their effectiveness in improving school safety is limited and often inconclusive⁵. Some studies suggest that SROs may be effective in deterring certain types of crime, such as drug-related activity and gang violence⁶. However, there is no clear evidence that SROs reduce school shootings or overall crime rates². Some research suggests that SROs may increase crime and behavior problems in schools, mainly through exclusionary discipline⁷.

One study found that schools with increased SRO presence experienced an increase in drug and weapons-related offenses, as well as higher instances of exclusionary discipline by school administrators¹. Another study found that while SROs in middle schools may decrease serious violence, they also increased out-of-school suspensions, transfers, expulsions, and police referrals¹. These findings raise concerns about the potential for SROs to contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline, particularly for students of color and students with disabilities.

Furthermore, while students generally report liking the SROs at their school, their presence does not necessarily increase feelings of safety⁶. Students may feel less safe as the year goes on and have more contact with the officer, potentially due to concerns about their behavior, resulting in punishment. This can lead to negative consequences such as increased absenteeism, lower graduation rates, and delinquency outside of school⁶.

The conflicting findings and limitations of the research highlight the need for more rigorous studies on the effectiveness of SROs and other law enforcement strategies for school safety.

Challenges and Concerns Related to Law Enforcement in Schools

The presence of law enforcement in schools raises several challenges and concerns. One primary concern is the potential for SROs to escalate disciplinary actions and contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline¹. Studies have shown that schools with SROs have higher rates of suspensions, expulsions, and arrests, particularly for students of color and students with disabilities⁸. This is particularly concerning given that Black students are already disproportionately suspended and expelled, and reliance on police for school safety may exacerbate this issue².

Another concern is the lack of clarity regarding the role of SROs in schools⁶. Their responsibilities often overlap with those of educators and administrators, leading to confusion and potential conflicts. This lack of clarity can also contribute to inconsistencies in how SROs interact with students and handle disciplinary issues.

SROs also face unique challenges in their role, including the need for crisis intervention training, communication skills with youth, a thorough understanding of juvenile justice, and knowledge of and sensitivity to the social, emotional, and intellectual development of young people⁹. Many SROs lack adequate training in these areas, leading to inappropriate responses to student misbehavior and an overreliance on punitive measures.

The presence of armed officers in schools can also create a climate of fear and anxiety for some students⁶. This can be particularly true for students who have had negative experiences with law enforcement or who come from communities with a history of police brutality.

Furthermore, a punitive approach to minor behaviors in schools can have serious and long-lasting negative consequences for students. This includes an increased likelihood of grade repetition, dropout rates, contact with the criminal justice system, poor academic performance, future incarceration, physical and emotional trauma, and a negative impact on personal relationships¹⁰.

Increased police presence in schools has also been linked to adverse long-term outcomes for students. One study found that increased police presence in Texas schools led to a 2.5 percent decrease in high school graduation rates and a 4 percent decrease in college enrollment rates¹.

These challenges and concerns highlight the need for a more holistic and nuanced approach to school safety that goes beyond simply increasing law enforcement presence.

Alternative Approaches to School Safety

Given the challenges and concerns associated with law enforcement in schools, many experts advocate for alternative approaches to school safety that prioritize community-based solutions and focus on prevention and intervention. These approaches include:

• Investing in mental health support: Providing students with access to mental health professionals, counselors, and social workers can help address underlying issues that may contribute to behavioral problems and violence¹¹. This is particularly important given the high prevalence of mental health issues among adolescents⁴.
• Implementing restorative justice practices: Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm and building relationships rather than punishment. It involves bringing together those who have been harmed and those who have caused damage to discuss the incident and find ways to move forward⁴. This approach can be more effective in addressing the root causes of conflict and preventing future incidents.
• Creating a positive school climate: Fostering community and belonging can help reduce bullying, violence, and other negative behaviors. This can be achieved through programs that promote social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, and positive peer relationships¹². Schools should also rethink discipline policies to ensure fair and equitable practices for all students¹³.
• Strengthening family and community partnerships: Engaging parents, community members, and local organizations in school safety efforts can provide additional support and resources for students¹⁴. This includes establishing relationships with community organizations and regularly meeting with city leadership, police, and school officials to discuss community safety and violence prevention efforts¹³.
• Improving school security infrastructure: While physical security measures should not be the sole focus of school safety efforts, it is essential to ensure that schools have adequate security measures, such as controlled access points, surveillance systems, and emergency communication systems¹².

Improving Emergency Preparedness and Response

In addition to the above, schools can take proactive steps to improve emergency preparedness and response. This includes conducting regular site assessments in collaboration with first responder agencies to identify potential vulnerabilities and develop effective response plans¹⁵. This collaboration can also involve:

• Inviting first responder agencies to participate in school safety planning and provide input on security measures.
• Hosting safety days at school with local first responders to promote safety-related programs and provide training.
• Partnering with first responder agencies to conduct emergency drills and exercises.
• Ensuring that after-action meetings occur with school staff and first responders after exercises and actual events to identify areas for improvement.

Schools can create a safer and more secure environment for all students by taking a comprehensive approach that includes both prevention and preparedness.

Collaboration Between Schools and Law Enforcement

While alternative approaches to school safety are essential, law enforcement still plays a role in ensuring the safety of schools and students. However, this role should be carefully defined and focused on collaboration and support rather than solely on enforcement and discipline.

Effective collaboration between schools and law enforcement can involve:

• Clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of SROs: This includes establishing clear guidelines for when SROs should be involved in disciplinary issues and ensuring that their actions are consistent with school policies and procedures⁸.
• Providing SROs with specialized training: SROs should receive training in child development, adolescent behavior, de-escalation techniques, cultural competency, crisis intervention, communication skills with youth, and a thorough understanding of juvenile justice⁸.
• Establishing clear communication channels: Schools and law enforcement agencies should have clear communication and information-sharing protocols, particularly during emergencies¹⁶. This includes addressing potential silos in communication networks and ensuring that all parties are using compatible communication software and applications.
• Building trust and relationships: SROs should focus on building positive relationships with students, staff, and parents. This can help create a more supportive and collaborative school environment⁹.
• Working together to address community safety concerns: Schools and law enforcement agencies can collaborate to address issues that may affect school safety, such as gang violence, drug activity, and mental health crises¹³. This can also involve conducting security assessments, developing crisis-management procedures, and providing staff development training¹⁷.

By working together in a collaborative and supportive manner, schools and law enforcement agencies can create a safer and more secure learning environment for all students.

Conclusion

The role of law enforcement in K-12 school safety is a complex and multifaceted issue. While the presence of SROs may provide a sense of security and immediate response in emergencies, there is limited evidence to support their effectiveness in reducing crime or improving school safety. Moreover, there are significant concerns about the potential for SROs to escalate disciplinary actions and contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline, particularly for students of color and students with disabilities.

To create truly safe and supportive learning environments for all students, it is essential to move beyond a reliance on law enforcement and embrace alternative approaches that prioritize prevention, intervention, and community-based solutions. This includes investing in mental health support, implementing restorative justice practices, creating a positive school climate, and strengthening family and community partnerships. Schools should also prioritize improving school security infrastructure and emergency preparedness in collaboration with first responder agencies.

It is crucial to acknowledge the trade-offs involved in school safety decisions. While increased security measures may seem appealing, they can have unintended negative consequences, such as increased discipline and a climate of fear. Each school must consider its specific needs and context when deciding safety measures.

The discussion about the role of law enforcement in schools is not simple. It requires a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between security, discipline, and student well-being. Ongoing evaluation and assessment of school safety policies and practices are essential to ensure they are effective and equitable for all students. By working together and prioritizing the needs of students, schools, and communities can create learning environments that are both safe and supportive.

Works Cited

1. School Resource Officers: Is Police Presence in Schools Doing More Harm than Good?, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.cato.org/blog/school-resource-officers-police-presence-schools-doing-more-harm-good
2. K-12 Schools – Center for Policing Equity, accessed January 26, 2025, https://policingequity.org/school-safety/71-white-paper-school-safety/file
3. Police in School: Re-imagining School Safety – Alameda County Health, accessed January 26, 2025, https://achealthyschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CHSC-Literature-Review-Police-in-Schools-and-Re-imagining-School-Safety.pdf
4. Our Kids are Not Suspects: talking points on the role of law enforcement in schools | ACLU of Florida, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.aclufl.org/en/our-kids-are-not-suspects-talking-points-role-law-enforcement-schools
5. What Do We Know About the Effects of School-Based Law Enforcement on School Safety?, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.wested.org/resource/effects-of-school-based-law-enforcement-on-school-safety/
6. Why School Police Officers May Not Be the Most Effective Way to Prevent Violence, accessed January 26, 2025, https://research.iastate.edu/2024/11/19/why-school-police-officers-may-not-be-the-most-effective-way-to-prevent-violence/
7. School‐based law enforcement strategies to reduce crime, increase perceptions of safety, and improve learning outcomes in primary and secondary schools: A systematic review – PubMed Central, accessed January 26, 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10630714/
8. Examining the Impact of School Resource Officers and Possible Alternatives | CJJ, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.juvjustice.org/blog/1491
9. School Resource Officers: Benefits and Challenges, accessed January 26, 2025, https://ed.buffalo.edu/content/dam/ed/safety-conference/FPP%20SROs%20Benefits%20and%20Challenges%20Rosiak%20Oxford%202014.pdf
10. What are the problems with having a regular police presence in schools? | Toolkit, accessed January 26, 2025, https://makemyschoolsafe.org/guide/police-schools/what-are-problems-having-regular-police-presence-schools
11. How To Make Schools Safer Without Additional Physical Security Measures, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.americanprogress.org/article/how-to-make-schools-safer-without-additional-physical-security-measures/
12. Ways To Improve School Safety and Security to Keep Teachers and Students Safe, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.saferwatchapp.com/blog/ways-to-improve-school-safety-and-security-to-keep-teachers-and-students-safe/
13. New Report Identifies Ways to Build Safer Schools and Communities, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.theiacp.org/news/press-release/new-report-identifies-ways-to-build-safer-schools-and-communities
14. Fostering School Safety Through Community Involvement and Collaboration, accessed January 26, 2025, https://raptortech.com/resources/blog/fostering-school-safety-through-community-involvement-and-collaboration/
15. Timeless School Safety Strategies, accessed January 26, 2025, https://rems.ed.gov/docs/Timeless-Strategies-Fact-Sheet_508C.pdf
16. Collaborating with law enforcement to strengthen school safety – eSchool News, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.eschoolnews.com/educational-leadership/2024/06/14/collaborating-with-law-enforcement-school-safety/
17. Fostering School-Law Enforcement Partnerships – Office of Justice Programs, accessed January 26, 2025, https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/book5.pdf