Seven Minutes Can Save a Life
After nearly every mass shooting, heartbreaking news follows that classmates, friends, or workmates may have seen something, but not said something. Sometimes it is because people don’t know what to look for and who to tell.
Whether a parent, administrator, law enforcement officer or business owner, please take a few minutes to watch these information dense digital shorts created to help school resource officers and really any adult better understand what to watch for to prevent the next mass shooting. My consulting company produced these entertaining and brief videos in partnership with Rocket Media Group as part of my work with the National Center for School Safety and the University of Michigan.
The YouTube shorts can be viewed on your phone or desktop. The first focus on barriers to reporting suspicious behavior, the second delves into the working of the teenage brain. The third is a mandatory to do list for your school resource officer.
Here is a link and summary of each:
Why Aren't They Telling You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-i8fh8dHKY
Did you know 93% of violent school events were planned in advance, and in 80% of those instances students or others were aware of what was being planned? Statistics like that can be difficult to learn, and may leave you wondering why students don’t say something before it is too late. As a School Resource Officer (SRO), it is your job to find out why students don't always report what they know, and do everything you can to help students feel comfortable and confident coming to you for help. In this video, learn more about what goes through a students’ mind when they hear something disturbing but choose not to report it, and the different ways you can remove barriers and build trust between yourself and your students.
The Teen Brain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQEQelFnnOY
Unlike traditional law enforcement officials, School Resource Officers (SROs) work almost exclusively with young people, so it is crucial they understand how students think and make decisions. But that is no easy task. Teenagers have been baffling and frustrating adults for generations, leaving many to wonder what exactly is going on inside of their brain. Why are teens so impulsive, and why do they seem to take unnecessary risks, make bad decisions, and change personalities from one interaction to the next? The answer is more complicated than raging hormones. In this video, learn how the teen brain works, tips for building trusted relationships with students, the do’s and don’ts of interacting with teens in real-world situations, and why your success as an SRO depends on understanding what is going on inside of a teen’s changing brain. You can also look at or download a poster with the key points: https://www.nc2s.org/wp-content/uploa...
The First Five Things an SRO should Do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWKc6SN4CBc
As a School Resource Officer (SRO), success is not measured by arrests, control, or discipline, but by your ability to gain the trust of students and to help them grow. It is a big change, and an even bigger responsibility. But by taking a few simple steps, you can easily adjust to your new beat and start making a meaningful impact in students’ lives. In this video, learn the first five steps you should take as a new SRO, including how to clarify your role and authority with school leadership, getting to know the staff and students, the importance of knowing your building inside and out, and how to become an immediate presence in your new community.