Why school police officers may not be the most effective way to prevent violence

Research shows school police officers may subconsciously make students feel less safe. Portland Press Herald via Getty Images by Monic Behnken, Iowa State University In 1975, only 1% of public schools had their own police officers. Today, 44% do. A large reason for the increase is the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which led to the creation of the federal Community Oriented Policing Services to oversee funds for the hiring of police in schools. Another reason is the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. From the federal government down to individual districts, the idea that schools need police officers to keep kids safe is prevalent. However, research shows that police officers in schools don’t always prevent violence, including school shootings. In fact, their presence can harm students. Here are five reasons police in schools, also known as school resource officers, actually make students less safe in school: 1. They don’t address the root problems State legislators that advocate for police in schools believe that by hardening schools – increasing police presence, adding metal detectors, requiring clear backpacks and mandating active-shooter safety drills – students will be safer from school shootings. Academic research supports a different strategy....