June 14, 2002

Lansing, Michigan. In a special graduation ceremony to be held today at 2:30 p.m. in the Main Auditorium of the Michigan State Police Training Academy, 44 state, county, and local police officers will receive certification to teach personal safety lessons in schools across Michigan.

The officers are graduates of the Teaching, Educating, and Mentoring (TEAM) School Liaison Project developed by the Michigan State Police Prevention Services Section. TEAM 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. The State Police introduced the school liaison program in July 1998.

The TEAM training allows officers to teach at any of the three levels of education--elementary, middle, or high school--in Michigan schools.

The elementary school curriculum teaches students basic safety rules such as bicycle and pedestrian safety and the proper use of 911.

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 also 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 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). The high school curriculum also provides a realistic look 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.

This year, two newly developed modules, fire safety and the legislatively mandated gun safety module, have been added to the T.E.A.M. curriculum.

"The Team program is a major tool in our arsenal to give Michigan students a school atmosphere conducive to learning—free from the fear of violence and free from the threat of crime," said Colonel Stephen D. Madden, Director of the Michigan State Police. "The message provided by the Team trainers is an effective one. The behavioral problems resulting from harassment, hate crimes, anger, and conflict do not belong in our schools. The only acceptable behaviors are those that enhance and reinforce an atmosphere of learning."

"We have offered TEAM training for the past five years and already the numbers and results are very impressive," said F/Lt. Kriste Etue, Commander of the Michigan State Police Prevention Services Section. "More than 500,000 students have received and benefited from TEAM training. With these new officers, we are well on our way to reaching even higher numbers and greater success."

Since 1998, 364 local, county, and state officers have been trained in TEAM.

Officers graduating June 14, 2002:

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.