Literature Review
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of observing negative interaction and reactions to SROs punitive discipline methods.
Contrary to the above belief, there are those who feel that having SROs in schools do just the opposite by increasing certain types of disciplinary behavior, SRO misconduct, and by violating students’ rights. Aaron Kupchik, conducted a research study to see if contemporary school discipline was different in schools that were either predominately white or predominately minority students. Prior research suggested that “school policies are enforced harsher, stricter, and at a different style of discipline” than schools with mostly wealthier, white students (Kupchik, 2009). Kupchik's research, showed the growing concern of harsh discipline and punitive punishments in schools rather than counseling students and correcting behavioral problems. Na & Gottfredson's (2013), research data showed that more serious crimes are more likely to be reported to the police regardless is the SRO was present or not.
Philip M. Stinson and Adam M. Watkins researched the nature of crimes committed by school resource officers. The data collected showed that SROs are rarely arrested for criminal misconduct; however, when they are, it usually involves sexual misconduct directed at a student (Stinson & Watkins, 2014). This research showed that training on “relational boundaries in the school environment” is strongly needed for teachers and SROs.
Nicole Bracy a research scientist and a professor at San Diego State University conducted a research study on student rights in schools that have SRO's in them. Her observations of SROs interactions with school administrators and students when they are being disciplined found that the partnership bond between SROs and school administrators resulted in circumventing the law. By circumventing the law the authors means that instead of school discipline, with the SRO present, the discipline usually is in some form of legal disciplinary actions which “evade some of the legal protections afforded to youth in schools” (Bracy, 2010). Some of the rights that should protect students include searching students, questioning students and sharing information about students between school administrators and SROs that places students at risk for serve punishment (Bracy, 2010). The results suggest that SROs presence in schools is not positive for students as it could negatively affect the students’ rights.
The SRO plays a critical part in the reduction of school related violent crimes; however, studies have shown that using uniformed police officers in schools reduces violent crimes but not significantly. It does show that some petty assaults such as fighting and being defiant have not changed over time since implementing the SRO program. It also shows that having SROs in schools improves relationships between students and law enforcement more so than those schools that do not have school resource officers. On the opposing side, having SROs in schools negatively impact students by awarding harsher disciplinary actions, SRO misconduct occurs, and students’ rights are more frequently violated. Where the idea of having SROs in schools is a brilliant idea, it may have some negative impacts on students and more research is needed to determine whether the SRO program is truly effective or if it causes more harm than good.
By: Lakesha Means