Education Business

Research has been commissioned to look at the role and effectiveness of Scotland’s campus police officers and to provide best practice recommendations for local authorities and police forces.

Key findings include that the role of campus police officers is highly valued by both educational staff and pupils and forging relationships and regular interaction between the police officers and pupils was regarded as having a positive impact on young people and may help reduce serious indiscipline in school.

Also, that undertaking group work targeted at challenging or at risk pupils and information sharing with other support workers and agencies are considered major benefits of the role and campus police have the biggest impact in deprived areas where communities may lack positive role models and perceptions of the police may be negative.

The first campus police officer was deployed by Aberdeen City Council in 2002 and there are now 55 officers working in 65 schools across 15 councils.

Keith Brown, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning said: "This isn't about 'policing' schools or criminalising pupils, but about intervening early to support young people as they develop."

"Campus police certainly have a role to play within this wider support system and I would encourage other local authorities and police forces to consider these findings and the real benefits they can bring to schools and communities."

Further information:
The Scottish Government