Charles County Public Schools

and

Charles County Sheriff’s Office

Working Together

To

Be The Difference

For

Students and Community

Partnership With Charles County Public Schools

School Resource Officers are assigned to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and work within the Special Operations Division.

The program includes the placement of one School Resource Officer in every High School and Middle School in Charles County

Officers are assigned to a geographical area of responsibility

Through a cooperative agreement with the Charles County Public School system, Resource Officers work to maintain a safe and orderly environment within every school

Job Responsibilities

Serve as primary liaison to the principal and administrative staff for law enforcement services

Serve as consultants to the administration, PPW, counselor, psychologist, and staff about law enforcement issues

Serve as mentors to students

Serve as a “life-experience counselor” to students

Job Description

Provide Dr. Hill with information on students arrested for reportable criminal offenses

Assist school administration in developing and evaluating school security programs

Keep school administration aware of county or community incidents that might impact the schools

Inform school administration of local gang and/or drug-related information

Serve as a source of legal information for administrators, staff, parents, and students

Track incidents such as vandalism, property damage, theft, etc., in schools and identify countywide patterns

Monitor students who have been identified as seriously at-risk

Serve as liaison with the school juvenile probation officer

Provide additional assistance in crisis situations or in particular “trouble spots”

Carry out necessary police actions when required

School Resource Officers assist with:

Efforts to decrease truancy rates for students

Developing consistent juvenile interventions

Establishing an intelligence network

Presenting school-based prevention programs such as Safe Schools and D.A.R.E.

Participation in program design and implementation of “Youth Panels” and “Teen Court”

Conducting community

awareness and education

campaigns

Developing juvenile

intervention and prevention projects

School meetings and major school events

Law enforcement coverage during local community projects

Youth offender investigations, surveillance, and

intelligence

Staff functions that allow direct interaction with students in a positive manner

Why the Partnership is Important

Programs and Activities

The Safe Schools Program is an integral component of the School Resource Officer's daily assignment. The program's mission is to educate all parents, school employees, and community members about current trends in youth violence, substance abuse, and crime.

Lesson plans focus on a variety of issues which include:

Reality-based discussions with youth that involve situations within school communities

Youth violence Substance abuse education Outreach programs

Safe Schools Program

D.A.R.E. is an educational program for fifth and sixth grade students which emphasizes decision-making skills that are designed to empower youth to resist peer pressure. The program offers preventive strategies that foster the development of resiliency in students who may be at risk

D.A.R.E. focuses on the development of:

Social competence

Communication skills

Self-esteem

Empathy

Conflict resolution

Positive alternative activities to drug abuse and other destructive behaviors

D.A.R.E.

Drug Abuse Resistance Education

Truth and Consequences targets high school students toassist them in becoming responsible members of thecommunity by discussing reality-based situations.

Ninth grade students are educated about the fundamentals of prevention, intervention, early warning signs of violence, peer pressure, conflict resolution, accountability, responsibility, and problem-solving

Information is shared about available outreach programs for youth such as: Junior Police Academy, Explorers, Cadet Program, Summer Youth Achievement Program, and the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES

The Summer Youth Achievement Program targets middle school-aged youth who are at risk of entering the Maryland Juvenile Justice System.

The program objectives:

Provide activities and classroom instruction that includes building life skills, substance abuse, violence, and gang prevention

Increase participant understanding of effective communication skills, refusal skills, and conflict resolution skills

Enhance participant awareness of health related issues that includes nutrition, vocational training, and employment opportunity

Promote individual awareness and knowledge of detrimental affects associated with substance use and violence

CHARLES COUNTY SUMMER YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM

The primary goal of the Drug and Alcohol Awareness Seminar is to reduce substance abuse among middle school students. Participants complete a thirty-two hour curriculum in a summer day camp setting. Lesson plans primarily reinforce drug abuse resistance education.

Lessons focus on:

Self esteem Managing stress and anger Consequences of behavior Providing participants with knowledge, skills, and

confidence to resist illegal substances

Drug and Alcohol Awareness Seminar

The Badges for Baseball program was created in 2011 through collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice as a juvenile crime prevention initiative. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office receives a $5,000.00 grant from the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation each year to continue the program. Pairing of a police officer and student is used to build relationships and teach the sport of baseball.

Law enforcement officers target important concepts related to:

Teamwork Communication Respect Leadership

Badges for Baseball

Kops for Kids Football Camp

The annual Kops for Kids Football Camp held at North Point High School involves more than 100 students in grades 3-5. The camp is made possible by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation as well as contributions from the Waldorf Jaycees, SMECO, and Chick-fil-A. Children who attend the camp receive instruction from officers and special guests including former NFL players.

The camp focuses on:

Sportsmanship Decision making Conflict resolution Teamwork Communication Leadership Nutrition Self-management

One of the most enjoyable activities of participants and coaches is the flag football tournament.

The Winter Basketball Clinic engages students between the ages of ten and fourteen. The clinic is conducted in partnership with the Beltway Bombers basketball team.

The main objective of the clinic is to:

Encourage young people to be involved in positive community oriented events

Build bridges between students, law enforcement, and community leaders

Enhance collaboration between the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Charles County Public Schools, and Charles County Community Services

Winter BASKETBALL

Clinic

Teen Court is a juvenile justice diversion program for first-time offenders between the ages of 12 and 17.

The goals of the program include:

Reducing the number of youthful offenders through a program which exposes participants to an educational and realistic court experience under the supervision of a judge

Ensuring that participants receive a fair, meaningful, and just disposition

Encouraging respondents to take responsibility for their actions and make them aware that there are consequences for decisions

Educating youth about the court system through their participation as volunteers in the Teen Court program

Meeting and balancing the expectations of the respondents, victims, and the community

CHARLES COUNTY TEEN COURT

Shop With A Cop

Children are referred to the program by school counselorsand pupil personnel workers.

Through the support of local business partners, the programprovides a Christmas shopping spree for children who wouldotherwise not have a Christmas.

Project Graduation is hosted by the Charles County Citizens for a Substance Free Youth. Each year, graduates are invited to the College of Southern Maryland for an organized, fun and substance-free celebration. The event includes sport activities, dancing, and food.

Project Graduation will be celebrating its 31st year in 2016!

Project Graduation

We Care Teen Safe Driving Initiative

Every year, at the beginning of school, Sheriff Berry andmembers of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office commandstaff and school resource officers join Superintendent ofschools, Dr. Kimberly Hill, and her staff to greet teen drivers.Teen drivers are reminded about driving safely. The programhas made a huge difference in the number of teen fatalities.Since 2008, teen fatalities in Charles County have drasticallydeclined. Officers and school staff cover all seven high schoolsin the county.

Charles County

Public Schools

Charles County

Sheriff’s Office

Together WE

are MAKING

a DIFFERENCE