Today, 14 law enforcement officers received certification at the Michigan State Police (MSP) Training Academy to teach personal safety lessons in schools.  The officers are graduates of the Teaching, Educating, And Mentoring (T.E.A.M.) School Liaison Program developed by the MSP.

The T.E.A.M. program is a proactive effort to make schools and communities safer by promoting an understanding of social rules, the consequences of unlawful behavior, and students' responsibilities as good citizens.  In addition to approximately 250 Michigan school districts, the program has also been implemented in school systems in Colorado, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

"Promoting safety for all our children requires continued partnerships of schools, parents, communities, and law enforcement agencies," said First Lieutenant Phil Hart, commander of the MSP Prevention Services Section.  "It is very rewarding to see the dedication and commitment these officers have shown to bring the important safety messages of the T.E.A.M. program to the schools."

This session of T.E.A.M. training included a new bullying awareness and prevention program that helps law enforcement officers address bullying situations more effectively.  Developed by the Michigan's Law Enforcement Bullying Task Force, the program covers what bullying is and is not, how bullying makes a person feel, and what the students can do if they are bullied or witness someone else being bullied.  For older students, the program also addresses cyber bullying.

The T.E.A.M. training allows officers to teach at any of the three levels of education; elementary, middle or high school.  The elementary school curriculum teaches students basic safety rules such as bicycle and pedestrian safety, the proper use of 911, fire and gun prevention, and being safe on the internet. 

The middle school curriculum is designed to improve the citizenship skills of students and provide an understanding of rules and laws in society.  It also teaches teens skills on how to recognize and be more aware of personal safety issues.  The curriculum exposes students to the cause and effect of violence and teaches how to constructively handle conflict.

The high school curriculum provides a realistic picture of the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement officers.  It also includes a discussion into at what causes young people to get angry and then provides them with the skills necessary to resolve conflicts and develop good problem solving skills.  The high school curriculum further educates students in the practical application of constitutional law and creates awareness regarding personal safety issues such as sexual harassment and bias-motivated violence (hate crimes).  A special section sponsored by DOW Automotive provides beginning drivers with defensive driving lessons.

Every level of the T.E.A.M. curriculum includes a lesson on the importance of being involved in the community and preparing in advance for natural and manmade disasters.  These lessons also encourage the students and their families to create a "go-kit" that would contain necessary items during an emergency.

Officers attending this session of T.E.A.M. training included: