T.E.A.M. School Liaison Program (Teaching , Educating, and Mentoring)

Helping to develop model citizens among Michigan's youth.

The Michigan Department of State Police is proud to introduce its school liaison officer program. The Teaching, Educating, And Mentoring (T.E.A.M.) project is a proactive effort to make schools and communities safer. T.E.A.M. also promotes responsible citizenship and positive character traits among students.

T.E.A.M. is a school-based "law related" education program. Unlawful and youthful risk-taking behavior will be addressed in this program with lessons on the laws and consequences that commonly affect students. T.E.A.M. will provide students with a thorough understanding of relevant laws and their responsibilities as citizens to obey those laws, as well as the consequences of unlawful behavior.

The program's theme, however, is not fear or intimidation. Age appropriate instruction in laws relating to violence, weapon possession, gangs, traffic safety, substance abuse, truancy, and personal safety issues are the focal points of this program. Students learn the necessity of laws in maintaining an orderly and safe society, and the roles of law enforcement and the courts.

Students learn to take responsibility for their individual actions while working together as a T.E.A.M. in pursuing solutions to problems facing their schools and community.

WHO will teach T.E.A.M.?

Certified law enforcement officers from across Michigan can be trained in this school liaison program. The T.E.A.M. curriculum has been reviewed by a variety of educators for the appropriateness of both the subject matter and the target age group of each lesson.

The elementary school lessons focus on safety, including lessons on how to dial 911 and report a crime, and rules for bicycle and pedestrian safety. Some of the issues covered by middle school and senior high school lessons are weapon and drug free school zones, drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, violence and assaults, traffic safety; and personal protection issues affecting teens such as date rape, stalking, and domestic violence.

The T.E.A.M. curriculum also addresses positive character traits such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, firmness, caring, and citizenship.

T.E.A.M. Curriculum Summary

WHEN will T.E.A.M. be taught?

T.E.A.M. is flexible and adaptable to most classroom settings. Each lesson is approximately 30 to 45 minutes long and can also be used as a stand-alone program. Working together, the officer, teachers, and school officials decide when it is most appropriate.

WHERE will T.E.A.M. be taught?

T.E.A.M. is designed to be taught in the classroom as a supplement to regular classroom instruction in a specific area. The program is appropriate for public, private, or charter schools, grades K-12.

For more information contact Sgt. Trudy Rampy at (517) 322-1179 or e-mail at RampyT@michigan.gov

T.E.A.M. Trained Officers

T.E.A.M. School Liaison Officers - Graduating class November 2007