Revealing Insights: Why Police Presence in K-12 Schools May Not Enhance Safety

In June 2023, Wisconsin’s Legislature passed Act 12, which required Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) to place 25 school resource officers (SROs) in schools by fall 2023. However, this hasn’t happened yet. The main issue seems to be which government should pay for the SROs. Mayor Cavalier Johnson believes MPS should cover most of the costs. Act 12 did not provide any funding for these officers or penalties if the mandate isn’t met, but some Republican lawmakers have threatened to cut state funding for MPS if they don’t hire SROs.

Behind the scenes, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman has expressed concerns about putting 25 police officers in schools while the city faces officer shortages. Alderman DiAndre Jackson voiced a similar opinion, saying he prefers officers to be on the streets rather than in schools, especially since schools already have security guards.

MPS currently employs over 230 safety assistants who help screen and de-escalate conflicts but do not carry weapons or have arrest powers. Due to MPS’s lack of action, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has filed a lawsuit on behalf of parents to force the district to comply with the law. A resolution could take months, but the Legislature might push the issue in its upcoming state budget.

In contrast, Chicago Public Schools began removing SROs in the 2019-2020 school year and completed the process by last fall. The National Association of School Police Officers criticized this move, stating that other districts that had ended SRO programs faced negative consequences and later reinstated them.

A July 2024 study from the University at Albany found that police presence in schools can lead to fewer fights but often results in harsher discipline. Conversely, a November 2024 report from Rand concluded that SROs do not reduce violence.

Some districts are reintroducing SROs, potentially due to political pressure. In Milwaukee, Mayor Johnson agreed to SROs as part of a deal for a new city sales tax, suggesting that their presence could deter crime. However, it raises the question: would having an SRO in schools prevent incidents that happen nearby?

A June 2024 study from the University of Chicago showed a slight drop in disciplinary issues in Chicago schools after SROs were removed. It also highlighted that Black and Latino students were arrested more often in schools with SROs. Notably, surveys revealed that both teachers and students felt safer without SROs.

Advocates argue that adding SROs to MPS might reduce calls for police assistance. Lauren Greuel from WILL stated that Milwaukee families expect their children’s safety to be a priority. Yet, the UChicago study indicates that Chicago did not see an increase in police calls after removing SROs.

Chicago Public Schools shifted focus to a holistic safety approach, incorporating physical safety, emotional safety, and relational trust by collaborating with community organizations. MPS has similar programs, like restorative practices and student counseling, which school board members want to enhance.

Regardless of the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of SROs, it seems MPS may eventually have to fund them due to the legislative mandate.