Behavioral Police

School Administrator, Feb, 1994

Fighting has become expensive as well as uncool this year in the seven high schools of Clayton County, Ga.

A uniformed police officer assigned to each school can issue citations for unruly behavior and take unruly students to court. Youngsters under age 17 can be fined $100 under a local ordinance and state law that define detrimental conduct. Older students can be fined up to $1,500.

The school system pays for 10 months of resource officers' salaries; county commissioners pay for the other two months. The officers also counsel troubled youth and give mini-lessons on law-related subjects.

Principals believe student fighting probably has not decreased, but simply moved off campus. As one student confided in his principal, "I want to beat up that guy but I don't have the $100."