How School Liaison Officers Impact Bullying
School bullying reports have gone up three out of the last 4 years for Traverse City Area Public Schools. We told you about that in yesterday's Fact Finder Report.
While the district reviews its bullying policy every year, and is in the process of doing it again right now. There is one tool greatly diminished in the arsenal: school liaison officers.
A viewer wanted to know what happened to them.
We take a closer look in tonight's Fact Finder Report.
Andy Marek says, "Some kids are just mean kids who think that's appropriate behavior and if you don't send a firm message they're going to continue that behavior as far as I can tell."
When his son was bullied this fall one solution from school leaders was for the boys "to just ignore each other."
Marek says, "It's a lifelong injury and the punishment seemed minimal. It kind of sends the message that bullying is ok. that there's no severe consequences."
While bullying reports are on the rise in TCAPS, according to the Center for Educational Performance and Information, there is only one school liaison officer. The district used to have 4: A city police officer at T.C. Central and sheriff's deputy at T.C. West and one at each middle school.
TCAPS paid about a third of the total cost for an officer or about $25,000 each.
This school year TCAPS cut the expense from its budget. Which nearly eliminated the positions. But the Traverse City Police Department chose to cover the school's portion on the cost and keep and officer at T.C. Central for schools within city limits.
Officer Matt Verschaeve says, "Word's around that I'm here and I'm here a lot and I think it does help."
From actively investigating the more than 100 criminal complaints based in the school last year, to deterring crime just by walking down the hall, the liaison officer's job covers a lot of ground.
While Michigan has no law against bullying, Officer Verschaeve says he has options.
Officer Verschaeve says, "Actually it would fall into several different statutes harassment, stalking type of issues.
But officer Verschaeve says the most important part of his job begins with being there.
Officer Verschaeve says, "Anybody can come to me anytime. My doors always open and it's zero tolerance for the offender if somebody is creating an environment that's not conducive to safety and student's learning, I will be getting involved."
Again Officer Verschaeve is a City police officer so he doesn't cover schools like TC West or the middle schools because they are outside of city limits.
If there's a problem those schools have to use staff members or call the Sheriff's Office for criminal cases.
Associate Superintendent Dr. Jayne Mohr hopes the county will follow the city's lead and pick up the tab to re-instate liaison officers at those schools.
What do you think? Should law enforcement agencies foot the bill and pay the total costs of the officers, should schools make it a budget priority, or should we just do without?
Share your thoughts below.
