Police Liaison Program Instituted For the Park Falls School District

On February 1, 2008 the Park Falls Police Department in conjunction with the Park Falls School District will be implementing a Police School Liaison Officer. This new endeavor is very exciting and will have a positive impact for any persons who enter the grounds or buildings of the Park Falls School District.

This program will help maintain a safe learning environment for all the students and staff by adhering to the following:

PHILOSOPHY

Police School Liaison Officers have been chartered to develop means to assist school officials in maintaining a safe learning environment.

Through an educational process students and staff gain knowledge about the laws that pertain to them in and out of the school setting.

Prevention programs are developed and implemented with the assistance of school administration.

Enforcement action is taken when it is necessary to protect and maintain the safe learning environment that currently exists.

LEGAL CONSEQUENCES

Persons who choose inappropriate behavior in and around the school setting may be subject to fines, arrest, or referrals to Human Services in addition to other discipline imposed by the school.

This type of action is reserved for those individuals whose behavior is threatening

or damaging to the welfare of themselves or others.

If possible or appropriate the student is given the opportunity to correct the behavior prior to legal consequences being imposed.

Students who are 17 years of age or older are considered adults in the criminal justice system and processed accordingly. These students are subject to fines in the amount of $340.00 for offenses such as disorderly conduct and harassment. Other serious violations could result in a criminal referral to the District Attorney or immediate confinement in jail.

SERVICES PROVIDED

·         On-site resource to administrators, teachers, students, and parents at the Park Falls High School Complex.

·         Class presentations on laws and how it applies to students. Subjects covered are harassment, tobacco, drugs, alcohol, theft, vandalism, physical assault, sexual assault, truancy and traffic.

·         Counsel at-risk students.

·         Meeting with parents as requested or needed.

·         Investigate crimes in and out of the school setting that relate to students and others.

GOALS

·         Build confident, trusting relationships between police, school faculty, students and parents.

·         Educate students about the role of the criminal justice system and how it applies to them.

·         Reduce disruptive behavior in school and surrounding areas.

·         Reduce crime against students and their property.

NO TOLERANCE POLICY

When it comes to violence in the school, the Park Falls Police Department and the Park Falls School District have a No Tolerance Policy for certain types of behavior. The list of behavior below will fall under the No Tolerance Policy and extreme action will be taken against the violator from both the police department and the school district.

·         Threatening to kill someone either in writing or verbally.

·         Any type of bomb threat either in writing or verbally.

·         Any type of sexual harassment or assault.

·         Bringing any type of weapon onto school property.

·         Making a “hit list” that includes school officials or students.

YOUR LIAISON

Mark Richter is your School Police Liaison Officer.

You may contact him at 762-2474 or mrichter@cardinalcountry.net