DARE–D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a school-based drug education program developed to help prevent drug abuse. This ten-week program places uniformed officers in the city’s elementary schools’ fifth grade classes, teaching children the facts concerning drug and alcohol abuse and strategies on how to resist the temptation to try them. This program also promotes self-esteem and enhances decision making skills. For more information please visit the national D.A.R.E. website or the D.A.R.E. Alaska website.

When fully staffed, the Juneau Police Department has three School Resource Officers. The SROs are currently assigned to work with elementary, middle and high schools within the Juneau School District.

The School Resource officer has a diverse role within the schools and community and has many duties and responsibilities. As a sworn officer assigned to a school on a long-term basis, SROs are trained to perform various roles to include law enforcement officer, law related counselor and law related educator. These officers work in collaboration with the school and the community as a resource for safety and security issues.

As an officer for JPD, the school becomes the officer’s beat. The SRO assists the school administration in maintaining a safe and secure environment. School administrator’s benefit from the SROs training, knowledge and experience in handling situations involving possible violations of the law. The SRO provides a highly visible presence to deter or identify trespassers on campus. In addition, the SROs provide a service to the surrounding community by addressing concerns involving students, such as truancy, loitering and criminal mischief which, when going to or from school often generate these types of community complaints.

The School Resource Officer has a defined role that is separate from that of the school administration as set forth by a mutual agreement. School Resource Officers will work with the school administration to find diversionary programs in dealing with status offenses and find alternative solutions to dealing with problems in the schools.

The School Resource Officers are positive role models. It is essential for an SRO to endorse high moral standards and use good judgment and discretion when dealing with students to help them learn and understand what a professional police officer does.

It is important to note that School Resource Officers are responsible for investigating violations of law, and when appropriate, making arrests. They are not school disciplinarians and are not involved in investigating school rule violations or district policies.

Two officers are assigned to the core downtown area of Juneau year round. The downtown officers interact with residents, businesses, governmental staff, and tourists. The officers work with people in the area to proactively address crime and safety issues. The downtown officers are trained in principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and conduct CPTED training and site reviews in the downtown area. The downtown officers often attend public meetings, job fairs, and give public presentations on a variety of topics.

The Juneau Citizens Patrol (JCP) is a private organization of volunteers who get training and some equipment from JPD. They are a resource for big calls when we need assistance maintaining a large safety perimeter, assisting with directing traffic after vehicle collisions, fires or parades, and function as unmarked patrol to find DWI drivers and observe other crimes. The JCP have responded to help JPD in looking for lost children and established safety boarders in flooded areas. It’s hard to say enough good things about the JCP volunteers; they are so valuable. You can volunteer to be part of the group by calling 586-0600 and asking for the Administrative Lieutenant who can steer you in the right direction.

Information Releases are created for any case that the Patrol Shift Supervisor or Public Information Officer believes needs further explanation beyond the Daily Bulletin post. Cases that have an Information Release will also have an entry in the Daily Bulletin. All factual allegations contained in JPD releases are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in the release are merely accusations, and all persons named are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Public Information Officers must balance the competing interests of the public’s right to know and an individual’s right to privacy. State law is the basis for JPD’s policy to try and balance these competing interests.