GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING A FORMAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SCHOOL AGENCIES TO IMPLEMENT THE G.R.E.A.T. PROGRAM
The success of G.R.E.A.T. largely depends on the commitment of the local school/school
district and local law enforcement working together to combat the gang problem through
prevention. It is important that this commitment be formally established in writing.
The following areas should be carefully considered when drafting a formal agreement.
Each community is unique in its needs and resources. This formal agreement needs
to reflect that uniqueness. With that in mind, the following items need to be carefully
considered.
IS THE SCHOOL WILLING TO:
- Ensure that the G.R.E.A.T. officer will be allowed the allotted time for formal
lessons?
- Consider the G.R.E.A.T. officer a faculty member rather than a "guest speaker"?
- Invite the G.R.E.A.T. officer to attend faculty meetings?
- Provide bulletin board space for display of G.R.E.A.T.-related items?
- Provide space for the G.R.E.A.T. officer to carry out the out-of-classroom responsibilities?
- Coordinate scheduling with the G.R.E.A.T. officer and his/her supervisor?
- Provide regular feedback to the law enforcement agency concerning G.R.E.A.T. instructor
performance?
- Commit to requiring regular classroom teachers to remain in the classroom during
G.R.E.A.T. presentations?
- Schedule orientation time for the school staff?
- Schedule parent presentations?
- Refrain from calling upon the G.R.E.A.T. officer to perform law enforcement duties,
except in emergencies?
- Regularly meet with the law enforcement agency to evaluate program needs?
- Permit the G.R.E.A.T. officer to have access to the playground and cafeteria to
allow for informal interaction with the students?
- Allow for use of audiovisual equipment for G.R.E.A.T. presentations?
- Permit the G.R.E.A.T. officer to make reasonable homework assignments?
- Reinforce the curriculum throughout the week by integrating program concepts into
other subject areas (i.e., spelling, essays, etc.)?
- Permit the G.R.E.A.T. officer to administer a pre- and post-course questionnaire
to students?
IS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WILLING TO:
- Ensure that a certified G.R.E.A.T. officer will be available to teach all scheduled
presentations? It shall be the responsibility of the law enforcement agency to make
every effort to find a qualified substitute or make arrangements with the school
to reschedule a class if the G.R.E.A.T. officer is unavailable to teach for any
reason.
- Regularly meet with school representatives to evaluate program needs?
- Ensure that G.R.E.A.T. officers are appropriately attired and present a professional
manner?
- Select only the best candidates for assignment to G.R.E.A.T.?
- Allow the G.R.E.A.T. officer time to provide orientation to the school staff?
- Allow the G.R.E.A.T. officer time for informal interaction with the children?
- Allow G.R.E.A.T. officers time to properly prepare for their classroom activities?
- Allow G.R.E.A.T. officers to participate in in-service activities?
- Commit the G.R.E.A.T. officer's supervisor to periodically visit classes and evaluate
officer performance?
- Replace the G.R.E.A.T. instructor for cause (e.g., poor performance, resignation,
unacceptable behavior)?
- Make every effort to have the assigned G.R.E.A.T. officer fulfill classroom commitments?