Fear is what causes some students to react violently to simple stresses. Fear is what makes it hard to hire quality teachers in selected communities, and fear is what motivated this discussion today. Although Los Angeles has a 50-year history of employing some form of security service, our police department wasn't established until 1984. The school district's authority to employ its own police department required specific state legislation. When asked why a school district would divert educational dollars to buy services that county or city police should be providing, I will always answer service dissatisfaction and control.
Districts seek to control the quantity and quality of essential services.
Directly influence the number of officers providing service exclusively to its issues. . Control where and when officers will be deployed. . Decide whether officers on its campuses will or will not carry firearms. . Influence how its students are treated by officers. Policing in a school environment is complex and challenging.