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WPD Home |Community Affairs Home | D.A.R.E. | Bicycle Clinic | School Safety | School Liason  Police School Liaison Program Since its inception in 1978, the Police-School Liaison program has provided officers from the Wichita Police Department for classroom presentations in the Wichita Public Schools. This cooperative program increases student awareness of citizens' rights and responsibilities under the law while fostering positive attitudes toward police officers and law enforcement.  Four officers are assigned full time to the program along with one full-time educator experienced in classroom teaching. The officers complete special training in communications skills, multicultural awareness and children's issues. The school specialist works daily with the officers in coordinating the program. Classroom teachers throughout the district assist in identifying program topics and in developing activities and materials for use with the officers' presentations.  During the school year approximately 3,000 programs are presented within classrooms, which translates into more than 90,000 student contacts.  Community Activities The Police-School Liaison program is responsible for many other activities that directly impact students or teachers including:  Education opportunities for both students and teachers D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T. programs Summer Bicycle Clinics Junior Safety Patrol Program.pdf School Liaison Staff  Michele Zahner USD 259 Coordinator Email me Officer K. Inkelaar School Liaison Email me Officer S. Wash School Liaison Email me   Officer R. Machain School Liaison Email me Officer V. Miller School Liaison Email me//Calendar  Topics Offered (descriptions at bottom of page)  Pre-K - Grade 1 Introductory Session  Pedestrian & Bus Safety Gun Safety Haloween Safety  S.A.F.E./Stranger Danger Stealing Personal Safety Awareness   Grade 2-Grade 3 General Introduction Vandalism Wheel Safety Halloween Safety S.A.F.E./Stranger Danger Shoplifting/Stealing Personal Safety Awareness Bullying Gun Safety Conflict Management Character Education Grade 4-Grade 5 Safety for "Tweens" Vandalism Wheel Safety Internet Safety Gangs Child Abuse Harassment/Sexual Harassment Shoplifting/Stealing Personal Safety Awareness Bullying Gun Safety Conflict Management Character Education Grade 6-Grade 8 Conflict Resolution Search and Seizure Child Abuse and Neglect Internet Safety Sexual Assault Teens and Drugs/Alcohol Drug Terminology-Jeopardy Game  Rap with a Cop Gang Resistance Shoplifting Vandalism  WPD Home |Community Affairs Home | D.A.R.E. | Bicycle Clinic | School Safety | School Liason Safety Tips for “Tweens” Kids in this age group are often left home alone and/or are babysitting other children. This program will offer safety tips to remember as well as how to handle emergency situations when an adult is not present   Gangs Many of our youth are pressured to join gangs and are unaware of the real dangers associated with gang affiliation. This lesson was designed to reach kids before they make that decision, help hem realize the consequences and teach skills to resist pressure to join a gang.   Child Abuse  Child Abuse Approximately two million American children suffer from child abuse each year and the effects are devastating. This curriculum defines the types of abuse, explores the dynamics of the abusive situation and most importantly, teaches that abuse need not be tolerated. Children are taught that they are not alone and help is available to them.   Personal Safety Awareness Program Ninety percent of the sexual assaults on children are committed by someone known to the child who takes advantage of a position of trust. Children will learn about their rights when they are faced with a confusing or uncomfortable situation. They will also learn ways to prevent or stop the abuse, as well as how they should report the behavior.   Internet Safety Kids can obtain wonderful information on the internet, but it is vital for them to be aware of the dangers that are lurking about. This lesson will provide information on common sense “rules of the road” and tips on how to safely navigate the internet.   Shoplifting/Stealing Shoplifting or stealing often begins with simple, inexpensive items taken from the classroom or at home. This program creates and opportunity for students to understand the many “costs” of stealing as it relates to the community, merchant, family, and to the child. The “cost” of stealing is more than dollars and cents.   Vandalism Vandalism is committed by children of all ages. It is imperative that younger children are aware of the consequences of vandalism for the vandals, their victims and the community.   Bullying Bullying is prevalent throughout the world and it cuts across socio-economic and cultural lines. Researchers estimate that 20 to 30 percent of school-age children are involved in bullying incidents, either as victims or perpetrators. This program is to help children recognize bullying behaviors in themselves and others and what they can do about it.   Wheel Safety Students need to be aware of the safety rules and traffic laws that apply to them as they operate a bicycle, scooter, and skateboard or roller blades. This information is important if we expect students to “drive” defensively and avoid accidents.   Character Education/Respect/Integrity Children want and deserve respect. They need to learn that respect is earned and cannot b obtained through bullying. In addition, they need to be aware of their responsibility to treat others and their surroundings in a respectful manner. Honesty is important in our lives. We have become accustomed to “white Lies” with many people adopting the philosophy that, “If I’m not caught, it’s okay.” This class guides discussion about character, respect and integrity.   Conflict Management Many of us associate conflict with negative terms such as “anger” or “hostility.” Conflict is a part of our daily life, but we usually assume there must be a “winner” and a “loser.” This lesson is designed to give students some practical skills to solve problems.   Gun Safety Our goal is for children to know what to do if they find a gun. It is imperative that children understand the danger involved in handling any gun, including those that are “unloaded.” We focus on “Stop!” “Don’t Touch!” “Leave the Area!” and “Tell an Adult!”   Harassment/Sexual Harassment Young people grow up seeing various inappropriate actions. These behaviors may be learned at home, on TV, or through observing others. It is important that students are aware that many of these “teasing” and “flirting” behaviors are not only inappropriate, but could even lead to legal problems. This program is designed to outline many of the results of harassment.   Introductory Session This session provides students an opportunity to interact with a police officer on a personal level. It also introduces students to the career of a police office. Officers interact with the students and help them to see the value of law and order in our society as well as correct misperceptions concerning law enforcement.   Halloween Safety This presentation is designed to help younger children stay safe on Halloween. There are many rules about “Trick or Treating” that kids (and adults) should follow. This will serve as a reminder that if you observe common sense and safety rules, you can have lots of fun!     S.A.F.E./Stranger Danger This program is designed to help children recognize potentially dangerous behaviors and situations. It will assist in the development of good safety habits for walking to and from school, playing at the park or in their neighborhood, and being watchful both inside and outside the home.   Drug Terminology-Jeopardy Game A fun and memorable way for students to learn and/or review the basic definitions associated with various drug categories   Gang Resistance Across the USA gangs have become a serious problem. The City of Wichita is no exception. Many Wichita youth are being pressured to join gangs and a certain percentage are actually joining. Gangs not only put individuals within the gang in danger of being hurt or killed, but also innocent citizens are being caught in the crossfire. 6-8th grade is an influential time for kids. They see older gang members and sometimes think it looks exciting, without knowing the real danger involved. The purpose of this lesson is to help kids recognize the pressures used to get them involved and to show them some of the harm that can be done to them and others.   Rap with a Cop There are many times in law enforcement that actions taken by an officer are misunderstood or even disagreed with by the public. This session will give each student an opportunity to ask the officer questions in an atmosphere that is relaxed and non-threatening.   Search and Seizure The Fourth Amendment gives people the right “to be secure in their persons, houses, papers nad effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” The purpose of this lesson is to define and clarify a legal search and remove the misconceptions surrounding searches and seizures. Students will have an opportunity to learn about the Supreme Court decisions and the effects upon law enforcement and citizen rights.   Sexual Assault Belief in the myths surrounding sexual assault perpetuates the vulnerability of all people, increases the trauma suffered by victims and the probability that assailants will go free to assault again and again. Therefore, those myths must be discredited and reality must take its place if we are to be safe from sexual assault trauma.   Teens and Alcohol The pressures facing teens today are tremendous. All too often, kids think alcohol will help to alleviate their problems. Students want to be accepted by their peers and when their peers are drinking alcohol, they will sometimes give in and drink too. The intentions of this lesson are to help students understand the harm alcohol can cause them and the people around them.   Teens and Drugs Students want to be accepted by their peers and when their peers are using drugs, they will sometimes give in to the pressures. The intentions of this lesson are to help students understand the harm drugs can cause them and the people around them.   Pedestrian and Bus Safety Each time a child walks somewhere, he or she can be in danger. This curriculum will provide an opportunity for children to learn and practice safety rules to crate a safer environment for themselves and others. (We have expanded this program to include bus safety in order to reinforce their responsibility for safety as a bus passenger or as a pedestrian around buses.)