School cop to set kids straight

A GATTON high school will have a police officer based out of it from next year.

Lockyer MP Ian Rickuss.

A GATTON high school will have a police officer based out of it from next year.

The Lockyer District State High School will be home to a school-based police officer (SBPO) in order to normalise students' relationship with the police.

The program places police officers within schools to contribute to the curriculum and engage on a one-on-one level with students.

Police Minister Jack Dempsey said their contribution to the schooling community was invaluable.

"This is about ensuring our schools remain safe and that students have every chance to positively interact with police from a young age," Mr Dempsey said.

"Our SBPOs do an outstanding job and contribute to every aspect of the school community.

"They forge close working relationships with the school staff and provide positive role models for the students, becoming involved in the school's curriculum by providing students with crime-prevention and safety advice."

Positions for the additional SBPOs were advertised in the Queensland Police Service Gazette this week seeking interested officers from across the state.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek welcomed the announcement, saying SBPOs provided education and early intervention to keep young people out of trouble.

"The SBPO Program is an effective crime-prevention strategy that aims to keep students in school and out of the juvenile justice system," Mr Langbroek said.

"SBPOs promote positive relationships between young people and police and play an important role in addressing the issue of violence in schools."

Lockyer MP Ian Rickuss said the new SBPO at school would be a valuable asset to the community as a whole.

"By seeing a police officer every day it ensures students at Lockyer District State High School know there is someone they can turn to if they need help," Mr Rickuss said.

"This police officer should have a good understanding of the student community in Lockyer District High School, and hopefully be able to intervene at early stages of possible trouble.

"This could limit issues such as school vandalism, local graffiti and other problems that are very regularly associated with high school students."

Originally published as School cop to set kids straight