An evaluation of Scotland’s campus police officers has found their presence helps ‘improve relations between young people and the police and make school environments feel secure’.
The Scottish Government commissioned independent research in to the role and effectiveness of the 55 campus officers across the country and to provide best practice recommendations for local authorities and police forces.
Key findings include:
* The role of campus police officers is highly valued by both educational staff and pupils
* Forging relationships and regular interaction between the police officers and pupils was regarded as having a positive impact on young people and may help reduce serious indiscipline in school
* Undertaking group work targeted at challenging or at risk pupils and information sharing with other support workers and agencies are considered major benefits of the role
* Campus police have the biggest impact in deprived areas where communities may lack positive role models and perceptions of the police may be negative
Keith Brown, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, launched the research findings on a visit to Tynecastle High School in Edinburgh.
Mr Brown said:
"I’m pleased this research demonstrates the very positive contribution that a campus police officer can make to a school. This isn’t about ‘policing’ schools or criminalising pupils, but about intervening early to support young people as they develop.
"A police officer can be uniquely placed to act as a role model within the school environment, who pupils can interact with and learn from. That is certainly the case at Tynecastle High – my former school – where the campus police officer is an integral part of the school and I have seen the real and tangible benefits this can bring.
"The findings of the behaviour in schools research we published last year illustrated that a wide range of provision within and beyond the classroom is the best way to address behavioural concerns.
"Campus police certainly have a role to play within this wider support system and I would encourage other local authorities and police forces to consider these findings and the real benefits they can bring to schools and communities."
PC Karl Cleghorn, the Lothian and Borders Police School Liaison Officer based at Tynecastle High, said:
"My role enables me to assist the pupils, staff and parents with a wide range of issues and pick up on any issues early, before they develop into problems. Through the daily mentoring and engagement, relationships between young people the police have improved and – as part of a team – I have helped reduce truancy, offences and behavioural issues in the school and the surrounding area.
"I very much enjoy meeting the challenges of this role and playing a part in assisting the headteacher and staff in ensuring that the school and community is a safe and secure environment for everyone."
Detective Chief Superintendent John Carnochan, Head of the Violence Reduction Unit, who are responsible for coordinating the training of Campus Officers, said:
"Campus officers are a valuable part of community policing and their involvement with young people and schools is essential, not only in preventing crime but in fostering good relations with one of the most hard to reach and at risk groups in our communities. They help create a positive learning environment.
"They are also an essential part of crime prevention. Through their presence in schools campus officers are able to identify issues at an early stage and reduce the risk of a drama going on to be a crisis, helping divert young people away from potential criminal activity."
Tom Rae, Headteacher at Tynecastle High, said:
"Our School Liaison Police Officer is an integral part of our student support staff. He contributes positively to the school in so many ways, for example in the delivery of our Duke of Edinburgh programme. I was so pleased that in an HMIE inspection visit last year, the excellent work he does was highly praised. I think that many more schools should consider the benefits a liaison officer can bring."
"Connor McGregor, an S3 pupil at Tynecastle High, said:
"PC Cleghorn has really helped me and he’s very friendly. He gives support to pupils throughout the school and even arranged for me to take part in a football tournament."
The first campus police officer was deployed by Aberdeen City Council in 2002 and there are now 55 officers working in 65 schools across 15 councils. Deploying police within schools is a matter for local authorities and police forces to decide on. Support from the Scottish Government has enabled its commitment to deliver 1,000 extra police officers to be met.
The research was carried out by Ipsos MORI and included interviews with 46 campus officers, 52 headteachers, and 46 interviews with other educational staff, teaching unions, HMIE, police, local authorities and Government representatives. Following this, fieldwork, including interviews with school staff, parents and the local community was undertaken at 11 schools that utilised a campus officer. The information collected was supported using data regarding 11 comparison schools (where campus officers were not operational).
