Assessment of school police officers in addressing public safety related to school violence: A bio psychosocial cultural perspective

2^nd International Conference on Forensic Research and Technology

October 07-09, 2013 Hampton Inn Tropicana, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Ronn Johnson, Patricia Jones, Meggie Zanger and Hue Huynh

Accepted Abstracts: J Forensic Res

Abstract :

Acts of school violence increase awareness of the public safety role played by school police. While not every school has permanently assigned police officers, research shows they can make a positive difference. The high profile gun violence cases have increased demands for safer schools, with argument over the best ways to fund and achieve that goal. This paper examines high profile school shootings, traumatization in the aftermath of school violence, the biopsychosocialcultural impact of violence on school climate, as well as student resource officer relationships with students, parents and the community. The comprehensive effect of school violence is best assessed using a biopsychosocialcultural paradigm. Training school police for crafting a safety plan, threat assessment, and scene management are discussed. Finally, implications for forensic psychological research and practice are explored.

Biography :

Ronn Johnson is licensed and board certified clinical psychologist with extensive experience in academic and clinical settings. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology. He has served as a staff psychologist in community mental health clinics, hospitals, schools and university counselling centers. The University of Iowa, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Central Oklahoma, and San Diego State University are among the sites of his previous academic appointments. His forensic, scholarship, and teaching interests include: ethical-legal issues, police psychology, women death penalty, and contra terrorism.