Sergeant Steve Jackson and Sergeant Mike Grennes are certified G.R.E.AT. Instructors and teach the G.R.E.A.T. classes to seventh graders at Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Immanuel Lutheran and St. Paul’s Middle Schools.
The G.R.E.A.T. program is a 13-week interactive life-skills building program that has been taught in the Valparaiso School System since 1993. The program provides our youth with the necessary skills and information to avoid gangs, drug abuse, crime and violence and become responsible members of our society. The instructors utilize proven teaching techniques such as cooperative learning and interactive discussion to facilitate student’s learning.
The program continues to be successful and each year hundreds of students are taught and graduate from the program. As an incentive for good behavior and program completion, graduating students are allowed to attend the G.R.E.A.T. graduation party, where police officers and staff join with students in a safe evening of fun and celebration that is happening tonight.
A local DJ provides music and entertainment along with access to swimming, basketball, volleyball, dancing and carnival rides. The Valparaiso High School gymnasium, swimming facility and field house are used to provide an excellent opportunity for police officers, school staff, students and parents to come together and interact in an informal setting.
The concept of having police officers in schools has actually been around since the 1950’s in communities all across America. In the late 1970’s, the Valparaiso Police Department begin by partnering with the Valparaiso School System and assigning Detectives to act as Liaison Officers within the High School. In 1997, the Valparaiso Police Department assigned its first SRO to the Valparaiso High School. From 1999, until 2003 Valparaiso had two SRO’s assigned to the school system, one to assist at the High School and Alternative School, and one to assist within the city’s two middle schools.
Currently, the Valparaiso Police Department has assigned Sergeant Steve Jackson to the position of SRO. Sergeant Jackson works closely with students and staff at Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin Middle Schools and all of Valparaiso’s Elementary Schools. He also assists staff and school security officers with investigations and safety concerns at the Valparaiso High School. His full-time presence inside the schools is a large reason students and faculty openly communicate with the police department. Open communication provides trust in law enforcement, security in the schools, and a friend to many of the students that have attended the schools.
Sergeant Jackson was assigned to the position of School Resource Officer in the summer of 2004. He was trained at the NASRO (National Association of School Resource Officers) training conference in Phoenix, Arizona. He served his first year as SRO at the Valparaiso High School in 2004-2005. He was then assigned to cover both Middle Schools in a proactive effort in 2005 and currently maintains offices at both sites. Sergeant Jackson serves in many capacities throughout the school day; however his primary duty is to protect the school, staff and students from harm. Sergeant Jackson investigates criminal acts within the school system and crimes within the community that are school related. His presence also acts as a deterrent for delinquent and inappropriate behavior, and provides a safe learning environment for the students and teachers.
Sergeant Jackson gives many presentations to the students in the school system on a variety of topics ranging from bullying, internet safety, alcohol and drug abuse resistance, the dangers of underage drinking and smoking and the consequences of making poor decisions. Students and Staff are frequently given reminders and awareness of safety concerns that occur throughout the school year with an emphasis on crime prevention.
Sergeant Jackson can be contacted during the school day at:
Thomas Jefferson Middle School: (219) 531-3140
Ben Franklin Middle School: (219) 531-3020
Valparaiso Police Department: (219) 462-2135
You can also contact Sergeant Jackson by E-Mail: sjackson@mail.valpo.k12.in.us or sjackson@valpopd.com