NCJ Number
134665
Date Published
1987
Length
9 pages
Annotation
To investigate the use of police by Australian school principals, a questionnaire was distributed that described three criminal behaviors (theft, assault, and vandalism).
Abstract
School principals were asked to indicate what action they would take for each incident. Only 30 responses were received, but they reflected a range of Australian schools. In response to theft, most principals indicated they would first confront alleged thief and determine the facts. Almost all would require parents to come to the school, and many would involve pastoral care staff or counselors. Only five principals indicated they would call the police for this incident. If the value of stolen property was more than $300, however, principals were more likely to call the police. The fact that the student was bright and caused no trouble in class did not change the sort of action principals would take. In the case of teacher assault, principals reported they would take action in four areas: the student would be quickly removed from the scene; the teacher would receive immediate assistance; and effort would be made to reconstruct and evaluate the incident; and bureaucratic procedures would be followed. Twelve principals stated the incident would lead to a student's immediate suspension, but only four would have called the police. In the case of vandalism, principals had a fairly consistent approach. Parents of students would be contacted, and 18 principals indicated the police would also be alerted. If students offered to pay the costs of repairing the damage, principals were more likely to be kindly disposed toward the offenders. Overall, principals were most likely to call the police for vandalism, a little less likely to call the police for assault, and even less likely to report theft to the police. 3 references