Bill Overview
Title: Ensuring Safer Schools Act of 2022
Description: This bill allows funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to be used to hire and train veterans and retired law enforcement officers as school resource officers. It also directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to coordinate with COPS grant recipients to connect veterans seeking to serve as school resource officers with local law enforcement agencies participating in school-based partnerships.
Sponsors: Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]
Target Audience
Population: Students, potential SROs (veterans and retired law enforcement officers), and school staff in education systems with potential deployment of SROs
Estimated Size: 50000000
- The primary target population is students in schools where school resource officers (SROs) may be deployed.
- The bill promotes the hiring of veterans and retired law enforcement officers, affecting their employment and engagement opportunities.
- There is potential indirect impact on school staff including teachers and administrative personnel through the altered school environment provided by SROs.
- Families associated with the schools might be impacted due to changes in school safety dynamics.
Reasoning
- The policy is expected to directly influence students, veterans, and law enforcement officers transitioning to the role of school resource officers (SROs).
- Given the budget, not all schools in the US will be able to hire SROs initially, suggesting a gradual impact predominantly in areas prioritized by grant distribution.
- Veterans and retired law enforcement officers become crucial stakeholders as potential employees, potentially affecting their job satisfaction and stability.
- Initially, the policy’s impact will be limited to educational institutions that opt into this program, implying an uneven distribution of effects across different regions.
Simulated Interviews
High School Teacher (Dallas, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think having more SROs could make the school feel safer overall.
- There's always a worry about negative interactions between officers and students.
- I hope the officers hired are well-trained for a school setting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Veteran (Chicago, IL)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This seems like a good use of my skills from the military.
- I'm excited about the possibility of mentoring students too.
- There's always personal risk, but it's rewarding work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Police Officer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be a fulfilling way to use my experience.
- I am concerned about adapting to an educational setting.
- A steady job after retirement is appealing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Student (New York, NY)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It could be scary having more officers around the school.
- I hope they aren't too strict or intimidating.
- Safety at school is important but so is feeling comfortable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
School Principal (Birmingham, AL)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Additional officers could be a deterrent to violence.
- Success depends heavily on officers being well-integrated and respectful.
- Parents may feel more at ease.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
College Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could open doors for me when I graduate.
- SROs can contribute positively if they are well-prepared.
- I hope it encourages more community-oriented policing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Middle School Teacher (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The presence of veterans might balance discipline and care.
- There's potential for conflicting roles between teachers and SROs.
- I'd like to see officers involved in community activities with students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Law Enforcement Officer (Miami, FL)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative could provide stable part-time work for me.
- It's important that officers are well received by the community.
- I am cautiously optimistic about this.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
School District Administrator (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Additional SROs can improve compliance with safety mandates.
- Concerns about budget allocation and resource management.
- Would like to see community feedback being a part of this process.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Parent (Houston, TX)
Age: 43 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The idea of SROs is appealing if it means my kids are safer.
- I'm concerned about the nature of interactions with young children.
- Ultimately, the school's approach to using SROs matters most.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $50000000)
Year 2: $32000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $52000000)
Year 3: $35000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $55000000)
Year 5: $38000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $58000000)
Year 10: $40000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $60000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $70000000)
Key Considerations
- The size of the potential veteran and retired law enforcement workforce that could be mobilized as SROs.
- The extent of school participation that will opt to employ these officers.
- Effectiveness and efficiency of the COPS and VA in implementing the program.