In 1991, the G.R.E.A.T. Program was developed through a combined effort of the U.S.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Phoenix Police
Department (PPD).
The program began as an eight-lesson middle school curriculum. In early 1992, the
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) joined ATF and the PPD to expand
the program nationwide. FLETC provided the support necessary to train G.R.E.A.T.
instructors, and that same year the first G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training was held.
In 1998, the program added four additional law enforcement agencies to assist in
administering the program: La Crosse, Wisconsin, Police Department; Orange County,
Florida, Sheriff's Office; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Police Department; and Portland,
Oregon, Police Bureau.
In 1995, a five-year
longitudinal evaluation
was initiated, which showed the following positive results for students who had
completed the training: lower levels of victimization, more negative views about
gangs, more favorable attitudes about police, reduction in risk-seeking behaviors,
and increased association with peers involved in prosocial activities.
During 1999–2000, the program underwent an extensive program and curriculum
review. The objective was to ensure program adherence to the latest scientifically
supported data regarding prevention and educational research and theory. This review
enhanced the original program to 13 lessons, placed more emphasis on active learning,
and increased teacher involvement. The new curriculum was successfully piloted in
14 cities nationwide in 2001 and implemented nationally beginning in 2003. Currently,
the G.R.E.A.T. Program consists of a 13-week middle school curriculum, an elementary
curriculum, a summer program, and families training.
In 2004, Congress directed that overall program administration be transferred to
the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). In October 2004,
a grant was awarded by BJA to the Institute for Intergovernmental Research® (IIR)
to provide national training coordination services and related tasks.
Since its inception in 1991, over 8,000 law enforcement officers have been certified
as G.R.E.A.T. instructors and more than 4 million students have graduated from the
G.R.E.A.T. Program.