In cooperation with the MercedCitySchool District, the Department assigns an officer to each elementary school in the City.The officer’s assignment is to interface with school administration and teaching staff to act as a liaison between the school and the Department.
The Department, in conjunction with the MercedUnionHighSchool District, also assigns two officers to full time duty at each of the City’s high schools– MercedHigh School and Golden ValleyHigh School.The officers are involved with theschool administration to maintain order on each of the campuses.In addition, they identify “at risk” juveniles and work with them to try to change their behavior. The department also has one full-time officer assigned to Merced County's Valley High School.
Gang Intervention Officers
The department has three Gang Intervention Officers who are responsible for teaching the Gang Resistance Education & Training (GREAT) Program curriculum in each middle school to all sixth and seventh graders.In addition, they are responsible for working a case load of runaway and otherwise “at risk” juveniles who are identified and referred by patrol officers and school officials.
G.R.E.A.T. Program
The G.R.E.A.T. program is being taught to over 1400 7th grade students, in all four middle schools in the City of Merced. The goal of the G.R.E.A.T. program is to help youth avoid gang membership, prevent violence and criminal activity and develop a positive relationship with law enforcement.
The G.R.E.A.T. program produces attitude and behavioral change through a unique combination of skills training, cooperative learning, discussion and role-playing. The students learn Goal Setting, Decision Making, Anger Management, Refusal Skills, Recognition of Peer Pressure, Communication Skills, Conflict Resolution, Empathy, Social Responsibility, Message Analysis and Problem Solving.
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