Based on the Police Crime Prevention brochure (polizei-beratung.de), the specialist day focused on information for different types of schools.
Recurring questions that are asked of crime prevention were the reason for the event, for example:
"Do I have to call the police if pupils threaten a teacher with violence?" "How can I incorporate cyberbullying into the classroom and who will support me?" "Do you support our parents' evening on the subject of drugs?"
The aim of the symposium was to clarify the questions and create confidence in action.
A total of 67 people (including head teachers, teachers, school social workers and other specialist staff) from schools throughout the Warendorf district took part in the event at the police station in Warendorf.
Welcome speeches were given by the head of the police department, Andrea Mersch-Schneider, the head of the Crime Directorate, Timo Päßler, and the head of Criminal Investigation Department 2, Meinhard Reckhorn. All of them emphasized the relevance of the exchange and were pleased about the first event in this form.
Criminal Chief Inspector Sandra Bothe opened the first of three specialist lectures and spoke on the topic of "Dealing with criminal offences in a school context". It was presented that there are corresponding binding regulations in NRW. "If there is a suspicion of a criminal offense, the school must check to what extent educational measures are effective. If a pupil is repeatedly conspicuous or commits a crime, a report must be made," explained the chief detective inspector.
The two heads of the district police officers for Warendorf and Ahlen, Dirk Schellhammer and Andreas Niehüser, discussed with those present exactly how a report could be made by the school. They showed which reporting channels are possible for this, e.g. via the permanent contact persons and contact persons for schools, the so-called "village sheriffs". "But please do not hesitate to call 110 if there is an acute threat or danger to someone's life within the school," emphasized the two district officers.
Crime prevention does not only mean dealing with crimes, but also integrating a wide range of topics into everyday school life. For example, Martina Stronczek incorporated the crime prevention concept of the Warendorf police station into the last lecture. The educational and engagement work comprises three levels: school staff, parents and pupils. "The focus here is on criminal law provisions and consequences as well as risk and protective factors," she explained.
At the end of the event, there was an in-depth discussion at the themed tables on violence prevention, drug prevention, cybercrime prevention, technical prevention and the Kurve Kriegen initiative.
The first dedicated specialist day was a success for both the organizers and the participants. Due to the positive feedback, Crime Prevention is planning further events on the topic of schools ask - police answer.