Police-School
Liaison (PSL) Program
For
as long as there have been law enforcement
agencies and schools, there has been interaction
between the two. Beyond the family, the school is
the primary institution that has the opportunity
to affect the ideas and activities of children.
Police School Liaison Officers work
in cooperation with the schools in a proactive
manner to deal with youth concerns before they
become youth problems. Working in partnership with the schools provides
an opportunity to implement programs aimed
primarily at prevention of delinquent behavior
through education, communication, and
understanding among the school, youth, police, and
the community.
The Appleton Police Department's
PSL program is one of the
longest running and well established PSL programs
in the state of Wisconsin. There are currently 12 police officers
working in City of Appleton schools. Each has a
primary office at
the elementary, middle, or high school they are assigned to.
Their assignments also include the parochial / private
schools in the City. Click HERE
for a list of those assignments.
In addition to the
12 PSLs,
there is a lieutenant who serves as a coordinator
to the program and who also works on a variety of
community initiatives to provide better services
to juveniles and their families.
The PSLs have many
responsibilities. They serves as a liaison
between the police department and the schools, as
well as the community. They serve as resources to
the school staff and the students, and are
frequently asked to give class presentations. The
officers also conduct investigations regarding
violations of the law where the students are
either victims or suspects. They work closely with
students, families, school staff, and social
service agencies to try to prevent young people
from getting into trouble.
During the summer months several
of the PSLs continue to work on sensitive crime
investigations, juvenile investigations, and
special crime prevention programs. One of those
programs is the Young Citizen's Police Academy.
Other PSLs assist the patrol division and are
especially helpful in the downtown area where many
juveniles congregate.
Appleton PSL officers go through
a selection process which includes having them
respond to several written questions, review of
their resume and job experience, review of their
performance evaluations, and an oral interview.
School officials often provide input during the
interview process. The Police School Liaison
position is not a permanent position, and most
officers serve approximately four to six
years as PSLs before returning to patrol or other
positions within the Appleton Police Department.
Further information about the
Appleton Police School Liaison program can be
obtained by calling or sending an email to: Lt.
Mike Gostisha - (920)832-5542.
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