Attachments for SLEPS Pre-Test

SLEPS Pretest Attachments to OMB.pdf

Generic Clearance for Cognitive, Pilot and Field Studies for Bureau of Justice Statistics Data Collection Activities

Attachments for SLEPS Pre-Test

OMB: 1121-0339

Document [pdf]
Download: pdf | pdf
Attachment A: LEA cover letter with link and paper survey
[DATE]
«Salutation» «ContactFirstName» «ContactLastName»
«Agency Name»
«ContactAddress1»
«ContactAddress2»
«ContactCity», «ContactState» «ContactZip»
Dear «Salutation» «ContactLastName»,
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is working with RTI International (RTI), a not-for-profit
research organization, on a research effort regarding the role and presence of law enforcement officers in schools. While
many law enforcement personnel across the nation work closely with schools to ensure that each is a safe place for learning,
and free from threats of crime and violence, little is known about the scope and duties of the law enforcement personnel
who actually work in the schools. The most recent, publicly available data on this important topic is nearly 10 years old.
Your law enforcement agency has been selected to participate in the Survey of Law Enforcement Personnel in Schools
(SLEPS) pre-test. BJS is conducting this pre-test to refine the survey based on feedback from selected law enforcement
agencies before conducting a national data collection. Ultimately, the results of the national data collection will generate
statistics describing the scope, size, characteristics, and functions of law enforcement personnel who work in schools. There
are two phases to the SLEPS pre-test. The first phase is an agency-level questionnaire, which we are contacting you about
now, and includes a request for you to provide a roster of your officers working in schools. The roster will be used to select
officers for the second phase, which is an officer-level questionnaire for which we will send out materials approximately 4
weeks after the due date of the agency-level survey.
This research effort has also garnered the support of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF; see attached letter of
support).
You may participate in the first phase of the pre-test in one of two ways:
1. Complete the questionnaire online at [website] using the following credentials:
USERNAME: [Username]

PASSWORD: [Password]

2. Complete the paper questionnaire included in this packet and return it using the included prepaid envelope.
Your participation in both phases of the pre-test is critical to inform the upcoming national data collection and will represent
many other agencies like yours. We look forward to receiving your response by [DUE DATE]. Once we complete the first
phase, we will contact you regarding the second phase. You may preview the officer level questionnaire used in the second
phase here: [website]. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or Alissa Chambers at RTI by phone at (919)
541-6340, or email at [email protected].
We thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely,

Elizabeth Davis
SLEPS Program Manager
US Bureau of Justice Statistics
(202) 305-2667
[email protected]
Enclosures: PERF Letter of Support, SLEPS LEA Questionnaire, BRE
OMB #: ####-####. Expiration Date: ##/##/####

Attachment B: PERF letter of support

Dear «Salutation» «ContactLastName»,
I am writing in support of the Survey of Law Enforcement Personnel in Schools (SLEPS), funded by the
U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). The Police Executive Research Forum
(PERF) is excited to work with BJS and RTI International (RTI) in this important research effort.
The pre-test that your agency was invited to participate in is an important first step in generating
nationally-representative statistics related to law enforcement personnel in schools. PERF fully supports
both BJS and RTI’s work in this area as national estimates are long overdue. This pre-test will allow BJS
to test and refine the survey in preparation for the national-level data collection.
After results from the national data collection are analyzed, findings can be used to develop federal
funding strategies and other platforms to ensure that officers in schools are deployed and serve in a
manner that promotes school safety, prevents violence and other problem behaviors, supports healthy
behaviors among students, and ensures effective response when violence occurs.
Our team thanks you in advance for participation in this pre-test. If you have any questions about this
project, please feel free to contact Dr. Sean Goodison at PERF ([email protected]) or Dr.
Duren Banks at RTI ([email protected]).
Sincerely,

Chuck Wexler
Executive Director
Police Executive Research Forum

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

Survey of Law Enforcement Personnel in Schools (SLEPS)
Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) Survey
2017 Pre-test
[Display ORI with agency info]

Name
Telephone
Email

PERSON COMPLETING THE FORM
Title
Fax

INSTRUCTIONS
• This survey should be completed by a representative who is most knowledgeable
about your agency’s employment of and policies regarding law enforcement officers
working in schools.
• This survey uses the following terms and definitions:

o School Resource Officer (SRO): any officer who is primarily assigned to any
public K-12 school, regardless of sworn status, arrest powers, and employment
status (full-time or part-time), unless otherwise specified in the question.

o SRO program: your agency’s employment of officers who are primarily assigned
to any K-12 public school, regardless of sworn status, arrest powers, and
employment status (full-time or part-time), unless otherwise specified in the
question.
• The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended (34 USC
10132), authorizes this information collection. Although this survey is voluntary, we
need your participation to make the results comprehensive, accurate, and timely. We
greatly appreciate your assistance.

Burden Statement
Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to
respond to a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Public
reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this
burden estimate, or any other aspects of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing
this burden, to the Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810 Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC 20531.

[ORI]

1

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY CHARACTERISTICS

1.

Which best describes your agency? Mark only one.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Police department, municipal
Police department, county
State/highway department
Sheriff’s Office
Tribal
Independent School District
Other (Please specify): ____________________________________________________

2.

As of [DATE], how many sworn full-time officers with general arrest powers were
employed by your agency? ______

3.

Does your agency employ any officers that are primarily assigned to work in any public K12 school?



Yes – Go to question 4
No – End of survey

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS

4.

In what year did your agency start assigning officers to public schools? ______________

5.

As of [DATE], what are the funding sources for your SRO program? Mark all that apply.






[ORI]

Federal grant
State/Local grant
Law enforcement agency
School district
Other (Please specify): ___________________________________________________

2

Attachment C: LEA survey
6.

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

How many of the following public schools, including charter schools, are served by your
SRO program?
Type of public school:

Number

a. Elementary schools (lowest grade is not higher than grade 3
and the highest grade is not higher than grade 8)

________

b. Middle schools (lowest grade is not lower than grade 4 and the
highest grade is not higher than grade 9)

________

c. High schools (lowest grade is not lower than grade 9 and the

7.

highest grade is not higher than grade 12)

________

d. Combined schools (e.g., K-8, K-12)

________

Does your SRO program also serve private schools?



8.

Yes
No

Do the majority of officers in your SRO program serve on a single permanent assignment
(i.e., only serve as an SRO) or rotate to other assignments (e.g., juvenile detective, routine
patrol)? Mark only one.



[ORI]

Single permanent assignment
Rotate to other assignments

3

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

SRO POLICIES AND ASSIGNED RESPONSIBILITIES

9.

Does your agency have a departmental policy specifically for your SRO program?



Yes
No

10. With how many entities (school districts and/or individual schools) does your agency have
an agreement (e.g., memorandum of understanding, contractual or verbal agreement,
legislation)? Enter the number of entities by type of agreement in the table below.
Formal agreement in
place

No formal agreement
in place

School districts

_________

_________

Individual
schools

_________

_________

Not applicable
(Independent School
District Police
Department)

[If Q9 = No AND Q10 = 0 under formal agreement, go to Q13]
11. Which of the following best describes the type of agreement in place between your agency
and the school/school district served by the majority of your SROs? Mark only one.






[ORI]

Memorandum of understanding (MOU)
Contractual agreement, such as through a grant or other basis
Legislation
Verbal agreement
Other (Please specify): ___________________________

4

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

12. Please select whether the following SRO program characteristics are specified in either the
formal agreement between your agency and the school/school district served by the majority
of your SROs or internal departmental policy:
SRO program characteristic:
a. Expectations for SROs when working with students

Yes

No

b. Expectations regarding citations and arrests by SROs
c. Expectations regarding collaboration between school officials and SROs
d. Goals of the SRO program
e.

Number of officers in your SRO program

f.

Primary functions (e.g., law enforcement, teaching, mentoring/counseling)
of SROs

g.

Procedures for resolving disagreements between school officials and
SROs

h. Requirement of regular meetings between school officials and SROs
i. Responsibilities/duties of the school
j. Role of SROs with school discipline
k. Schedule (e.g., before the school day begins, the full school day, etc.) that
officers in your SRO program will spend at school
l.

Supervision or administrative control of SROs

13. Are SROs required to inform school executive staff about any of the following actions
occurring on a school campus?
Action:
a. Stop, question, and interview of student/staff in an official law
enforcement capacity

Yes

No

b. Question students during school hours
c. Question school employees during school hours
d. Search student
e. Search premises
f. Conduct criminal investigation
g. Arrest of student during school hours
h. Arrest of school employee during school hours
i. Use of restraint on student that does not result in arrest

[ORI]

5

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

SRO RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, AND SUPERVISION

14. Do schools participate in the selection process when your agency recruits and hires SROs?



Yes
No

GO TO QUESTION 16

15. How does the school participate? Mark all that apply.






By providing feedback on SROs after placement to help determine a “good fit”
By reviewing SRO candidates prior to selection
Through active recruitment of officers
Through participation in requirements/selection criteria
Other (Please specify): ___________________________________________________

16. How does your agency select officers for the SRO program? Mark all that apply.








As a result of input and/or recommendations by school(s)/school district
By nomination of officers from within the department
Through an application process external to the department (i.e. officers are hired
specifically to be SROs)
Through an application process from within the department
Through assignment as part of regular duty schedule
Other (Please specify): ___________________________________________________

17. How often do supervisors visit schools to observe SROs?








[ORI]

At least once a week
Several times a month
Once a month
Several times a year
Once a year
Never
Other (Please specify): ___________________________________________________

6

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

18. Does your agency have access to data (e.g., number or type of incident) on any the following
measures related to SRO activities in the schools they serve?
Activity:

Yes

No

a. Arrests made by SRO
b. Citations issued by SRO
c. Classes/programs taught by SRO
d. Mentoring activities performed by SRO
e. Mentoring of faculty/staff performed by SRO
f. Mentoring of parents/community performed by SRO
g. Property crimes reported at school
h. Reports of violence at school
i. Substance violations recorded at school (e.g. possession, use,
buying/selling)
j. Suspensions recorded at school
k. Use of force incidents

SRO STAFFING
19. As of [DATE], how many of the following personnel are primarily assigned to any public
K-12 schools?
Type of personnel:

Number

a. Sworn officers

_______

b. Nonsworn employees

_______

c. Total

_______

IF 19A>0, GO TO 20
IF 19A=0 AND 19B>0, GO TO NONSWORN SECTION

[ORI]

7

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

SWORN SROs
Please answer the following questions for the sworn officers who serve your SRO program.
20. Provide the number of sworn SROs in your agency by race/Hispanic origin and sex.
Race/Hispanic origin:
a. White, not of Hispanic origin

Male

Female

Total

b. Black or African American, not of Hispanic origin
c. Hispanic or Latino
d. American Indian or Alaska Native, not of Hispanic
origin
e. Asian, not of Hispanic origin
f. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, not of
Hispanic origin
g. Two or more races
h. Race/Hispanic origin not known
TOTAL (SUM OF A-H)

(Should match 19a)

21. Do the sworn officers who are primarily assigned to public K-12 schools…
Characteristic:
a. have arrest powers?

All

Some

None

b. receive specialized SRO training?
[IF 21B = NONE, GO TO Q23]
22. Do any of the following entities provide SRO-specific training to sworn officers in your
agency?
Entity:
a. Our agency itself (e.g., academy or in-service)

Yes

No

b. School district
c. State organization
d. National organization (e.g., NASRO)
e. Other (please specify): __________________________

[ORI]

8

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

TRAINING TOPICS OFFERED TO SWORN SROs
23. Which of the following law enforcement training topics are offered by your agency to
sworn officers in your SRO program? Please consider training provided to all sworn
officers or specifically for SROs.
Law enforcement activity/topic:

Yes

No

a. De-escalation strategies and techniques
b. Gangs
c. Procedures for handling juvenile offenders
d. Responding to calls for service on the school campus
e. Responding to incidents in the classroom
f.

Social media monitoring

g. Use of deadly force
h. Use of less lethal force

24. Which of the following prevention and planning training topics are offered by your agency
to sworn officers in your SRO program? Please consider training provided to all sworn
officers or specifically for SROs.
Prevention and planning topic/activity:

Yes

No

a. Administering special safety programs (e.g., drugs, legal issues, crime
awareness, distracted driving)
b. Bullying deterrence
c. Crisis preparedness planning
d. Security audits/assessments of school campuses
e. Substance abuse recognition
f. Truancy intervention

[ORI]

9

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

25. Which of the following social and behavioral training topics are offered by your agency to
sworn officers in your SRO program? Please consider training provided to all sworn
officers or specifically for SROs.
Social and behavioral topic:

Yes

No

a. Child/adolescent psychology/development
b. Conflict resolution
c. Cultural sensitivity and/or cultural competency
d. Mental health issues
e. Mentoring staff, students, and/or families
f.

Positive school discipline (e.g., PBIS)

g. Working with students with disabilities

ACTIVITIES PERFORMED BY SWORN SROs
26. Please indicate whether each law enforcement activity is required of any of your agency’s
sworn SROs while on duty. Only mark ‘yes’ if the activity is included in your internal
departmental policy, included in a formal agreement with schools/school districts, or
expected by department executives.
Law enforcement activity:

Yes

No

a. Crisis preparedness planning
b. Issuing criminal citations
c. Making arrests
d. Patrolling school facilities
e. Responding to calls for service on the school campus
f. Responding to incidents in the classroom
g. Security audits/assessments of school campuses
h. Social media monitoring

[ORI]

10

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

27. Please indicate whether each mentoring activity is required of any of your agency’s sworn
SROs while on duty. Only mark ‘yes’ if the activity is included in your internal
departmental policy, included in a formal agreement with schools/school districts, or
expected by department executives.
Mentoring activity:

Yes

No

a. Advising school staff, students, or families (e.g., one-on-one, in a
group, etc.)
b. Coaching athletic programs
c. Field trip chaperone
d. Supervising/coordinating non-athletic extra-curricular activities
e. Truancy intervention

28. Please indicate whether each teaching activity is required of any of your agency’s sworn
SROs while on duty. Only mark ‘yes’ if the activity is included in your internal
departmental policy, included in a formal agreement with schools/school districts, or
expected by department executives.
Teaching activity:

Yes

No

a. Administering special safety programs (e.g drugs, legal issues, crime
awareness, distracted driving)

b. Conflict resolution
c. Faculty / staff in-service presentations
d. Parent organization presentations

[ORI]

11

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

29. Which of the following equipment are issued to sworn SROs by your agency and which are
allowed while on the school campus? Mark only one per row.
Issued by agency
Allowed on
Not
campus
allowed

Item:

Not issued by agency
Allowed on
Not
campus
allowed

a. Uniform
b. Firearm
c. Baton/nightstick
d. Body-worn camera
e. Conducted energy device (e.g. Taser)
f. Handheld metal detector wand
g. Hobble restraints
h.

OC Spray/foam

i. Other (Please specify):
____________________________

[IF Q19B = 0 GO TO 41]

[ORI]

12

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

NONSWORN SROs
Please answer the following questions for the nonsworn employees who serve your SRO
program.
30. Provide the number of nonsworn SROs in your agency by race/Hispanic origin and sex.
Race/Hispanic origin:
a. White, not of Hispanic origin

Male

Female

Total

b. Black or African American, not of Hispanic origin
c. Hispanic or Latino
d. American Indian or Alaska Native, not of Hispanic
origin
e. Asian, not of Hispanic origin
f. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, not of
Hispanic origin
g. Two or more races
h. Race/Hispanic origin not known
TOTAL (SUM OF A-H)

(Should match 19a)

31. Do the nonsworn employees who are primarily assigned to public K-12 schools…
Characteristic:
a. wear a uniform while working in schools?

All

Some

None

b. receive specialized SRO training?
[IF 31B = NONE, GO TO Q34]
32. Do any of the following entities provide SRO-specific training to nonsworn employees in
your agency?
Entity:
a. Our agency itself (e.g., academy or in-service)

Yes

No

b. School district
c. State organization
d. National organization (e.g., NASRO)
e. Other (please specify): __________________________

[ORI]

13

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

TRAINING TOPICS OFFERED TO NONSWORN SROs
33. Which of the following law enforcement training topics are offered by your agency to
nonsworn employees in your SRO program? Please consider training provided to all
nonsworn employees or specifically for SROs.
Law enforcement activity/topic:
a. Conducting law enforcement activities in schools

Yes

No

b. De-escalation strategies and techniques
c. Gangs
d. Procedures for handling juvenile offenders
e. Responding to calls for service on the school campus
f. Responding to incidents in the classroom
g. Social media monitoring
h. Use of less lethal force

34. Which of the following prevention and planning training topics are offered by your agency
to nonsworn employees in your SRO program? Please consider training provided to all
nonsworn employees or specifically for SROs.
Prevention and planning topic/activity:
a. Administering special safety programs (e.g., drugs, legal
issues, crime awareness, distracted driving)

Yes

No

b. Bullying deterrence
c. Crisis preparedness planning
d. Security audits/assessments of school campuses
e. Substance abuse recognition
f. Truancy intervention

[ORI]

14

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

35. Which of the following social and behavioral training topics are offered by your agency to
nonsworn employees in your SRO program? Please consider training provided to all
nonsworn employees or specifically for SROs.
Social and behavioral topic:
a. Child/adolescent psychology/development

Yes

No

b. Conflict resolution
c. Cultural sensitivity and/or cultural competency
d. Mental health issues
e. Mentoring staff, students, and/or families
f. Positive school discipline (e.g., PBIS)
g. Working with students with disabilities
ACTIVITIES PERFORMED BY NONSWORN SROs
36. Please indicate whether each law enforcement activity is required of any of your agency’s
nonsworn SROs while on duty. Only mark ‘yes’ if the activity is included in your internal
departmental policy, included in a formal agreement with schools/school districts, or
expected by department executives.
Law enforcement activity:

Yes

No

a. Crisis preparedness planning
b. Issuing citations
c.

Patrolling school facilities

d. Responding to calls for service on the school
campus
e. Responding to incidents in the classroom
f. Security audits/assessments of school campuses
g. Social media monitoring

[ORI]

15

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

37. Please indicate whether each mentoring activity is required of any of your agency’s
nonsworn SROs while on duty. Only mark ‘yes’ if the activity is included in your internal
departmental policy, included in a formal agreement with schools/school districts, or
expected by department executives.
Mentoring activity:

Yes

No

a. Advising school staff, students, or families (e.g., one-on-one, in
a group, etc.)
b. Coaching athletic programs
c. Field trip chaperone
d. Supervising/coordinating non-athletic extra-curricular activities
e. Truancy intervention

38. Please indicate whether each teaching activity is required of any of your agency’s nonsworn
SROs while on duty. Only mark ‘yes’ if the activity is included in your internal
departmental policy, included in a formal agreement with schools/school districts, or
expected by department executives.
Teaching activity:

Yes

No

a. Administering special safety programs (e.g., drugs, legal issues, crime
awareness, distracted driving)

b. Conflict resolution
c. Faculty / staff in-service presentations
d. Parent organization presentations

[ORI]

16

Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

39. Which of the following equipment are issued to nonsworn SROs by your agency and
which are allowed while on the school campus? Mark only one per row.

Item:

Issued by agency
Allowed on
Not
campus
allowed

Not issued by agency
Allowed on
Not
campus
allowed

a. Baton/nightstick
b. Body-worn camera
c. Conducted energy device (e.g. Taser)
d. Handheld metal detector wand
e. Hobble restraints
f.

OC Spray/foam

g. Other (Please specify):
__________________________

40. In addition to this survey, we provided you with a form to list all of the sworn officers from
your jurisdiction who are primarily assigned to work in K-12 public schools. We will use
this list to randomly select some of these individual officers to receive a survey about
activities they perform. Included on the form is guidance for anonymizing the list of officers
should you prefer not to provide direct identification of the officers.
A copy of the survey that will be sent to selected SROs is available for your review at
<>.
Are you willing to provide this information?



Yes—please complete the Officer Roster Form
No—please indicate why you are not willing to provide this information:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

[If Q40 = NO, skip to END]

[ORI]

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Attachment C: LEA survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

41. For purposes of administrating the officer survey, would your agency prefer to have a single
point of contact to distribute the officer survey or have our team directly contact the
officers?


Single point of contact. Please provide contact information:
Name: __________________________________________
Title: ___________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________
________________________________________
Phone: (
)
-_______________________________
Email: __________________________________________



Contact officers directly (Note: this can only be done when officer name and email
address is included on the roster. The person who completed this survey and provided
their information on page 1 will be listed on the officers’ survey materials to verify
that the agency authorized their participation.)

END. Thank you very much. Those are all the questions we have for you.

[ORI]

18

Attachment D

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

Bureau of Justice Statistics
Survey of Law Enforcement Personnel in Schools

School Resource Officer Rostering Form
Please use the table on the following pages to list all of the sworn officers from your jurisdiction who are primarily assigned to work in K-12 public
schools. Please provide the names and/or badge numbers of these officers in the table below so that we can randomly select the officers who will
receive the officer-level survey. If your agency would prefer to provide information other than the name and badge number of these officers,
please list an alias or other information that you can use to identify these officers in the table below. If you choose to provide an alias, please keep
a copy of the list linking the alias to the individuals so that we can distribute the SRO-level survey to the sampled officers.
If we may contact the officers directly, please provide officer name and email address.
We will use this list to randomly select some of these individual officers to receive a survey about activities performed by sworn law enforcement
officers assigned to schools. We will send out the officer survey materials approximately 4 weeks after the due date of the agency-level survey.

If you have more officers working in schools please use the additional pages provided with this form.

Attachment D

Officers Initials OR other identifying
information that you can link
directly to each SRO.

1.

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

SRO Roster

Record the race/Hispanic origin of
each SRO using the letter
corresponding to the correct
category below.
A. White, non-Hispanic
B. Black or African American,
non-Hispanic
C. Hispanic or Latino
D. American Indian or Alaska Native,
non-Hispanic
E. Asian, non-Hispanic
F. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander, non-Hispanic
G. Two or more races
H. Race/Hispanic origin not known
U. Unknown or unavailable

Indicate
whether
each SRO
listed is
male (M) or
female (F).

Officer email address (for direct contact)

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

If you have more officers working in schools please use the additional pages provided with this form.

Attachment D

Officers Initials OR other identifying
information that you can link
directly to each SRO.

9.

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

SRO Roster

Record the race/Hispanic origin of
each SRO using the letter
corresponding to the correct
category below.
A. White, non-Hispanic
B. Black or African American,
non-Hispanic
C. Hispanic or Latino
D. American Indian or Alaska Native,
non-Hispanic
E. Asian, non-Hispanic
F. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander, non-Hispanic
G. Two or more races
H. Race/Hispanic origin not known
U. Unknown or unavailable

Indicate
whether
each SRO
listed is
male (M) or
female (F).

Officer email address (for direct contact)

10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

If you have more officers working in schools please use the additional pages provided with this form.

Attachment D

Officers Initials OR other identifying
information that you can link
directly to each SRO.

17.

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

SRO Roster

Record the race/Hispanic origin of
each SRO using the letter
corresponding to the correct
category below.
A. White, non-Hispanic
B. Black or African American,
non-Hispanic
C. Hispanic or Latino
D. American Indian or Alaska Native,
non-Hispanic
E. Asian, non-Hispanic
F. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander, non-Hispanic
G. Two or more races
H. Race/Hispanic origin not known
U. Unknown or unavailable

Indicate
whether
each SRO
listed is
male (M) or
female (F).

Officer email address (for direct contact)

18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.

If you have more officers working in schools please use the additional pages provided with this form.

Attachment D

Officers Initials OR other identifying
information that you can link
directly to each SRO.

25.

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

SRO Roster

Record the race/Hispanic origin of
each SRO using the letter
corresponding to the correct
category below.
A. White, non-Hispanic
B. Black or African American,
non-Hispanic
C. Hispanic or Latino
D. American Indian or Alaska Native,
non-Hispanic
E. Asian, non-Hispanic
F. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander, non-Hispanic
G. Two or more races
H. Race/Hispanic origin not known
U. Unknown or unavailable

Indicate
whether
each SRO
listed is
male (M) or
female (F).

Officer email address (for direct contact)

26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.

If you have more officers working in schools please use the additional pages provided with this form.

Attachment D

Officers Initials OR other identifying
information that you can link
directly to each SRO.

33.

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

SRO Roster

Record the race/Hispanic origin of
each SRO using the letter
corresponding to the correct
category below.
A. White, non-Hispanic
B. Black or African American,
non-Hispanic
C. Hispanic or Latino
D. American Indian or Alaska Native,
non-Hispanic
E. Asian, non-Hispanic
F. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander, non-Hispanic
G. Two or more races
H. Race/Hispanic origin not known
U. Unknown or unavailable

Indicate
whether
each SRO
listed is
male (M) or
female (F).

Officer email address (for direct contact)

34.
35.

If you have more officers working in schools please use the additional pages provided with this form.

Attachment E: LEA survey informed consent

Description and Purpose of the Survey of Law Enforcement Personnel in Schools (SLEPS):
SLEPS collects data on law enforcement agencies and school resource officers across the United States.
Your agency has been selected from a scientific sample of approximately 250 law enforcement agencies
across the country.
Sponsor: The survey is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics
(BJS). RTI International, a not-for-profit research organization, is conducting the study on the behalf of
BJS.
Procedures: The survey may be completed online, faxed, or mailed back in a prepaid envelope. It is
estimated to take about 25 minutes to complete, on average.
Financial Considerations: There is no monetary incentive for completing the survey.
Voluntary Participation: Your participation is completely voluntary. You can refuse to answer any and
all questions.
Privacy and Confidentiality: The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is authorized to conduct this data
collection under 34 U.S.C § 10132. BJS will protect and maintain the confidentiality of your personally
identifiable information (PII) to the fullest extent under federal law. BJS, its employees, and its contractors
will only use the information you provide for statistical or research purposes pursuant to 34 U.S.C. §
10134, and will not disclose your information in identifiable form to anyone outside of the BJS project
team without your consent. All PII collected under BJS’s authority is protected under the confidentiality
provisions of 34 U.S.C. § 10231. Any person who violates these provisions may be punished by a fine of
up to $10,000 in addition to any other penalties imposed by law. Further, per the Cybersecurity
Enhancement Act of 2015 (6 U.S.C. § 151), federal information systems are protected from malicious
activities through cybersecurity screening of transmitted data. For more information on how BJS and its
contractors will use and protect your information, go to
https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/BJS_Data_Protection_Guidelines.pdf.
Possible Benefits and Risks: There are no direct benefits to you for participating in the survey. The
potential exists for loss of privacy, though our procedures are designed to protect and secure your
information.
Further Questions: If you have any questions about the research now or in the future you can contact
the RTI Project Director, Duren Banks at 1-800-334-8571, extension 28026. If you have questions about
your rights as a study participant, you can call RTI's Office of Research Protection and Ethics toll-free at
1-866-214-2043.
Statement of Consent: I have read the description of this research provided above and I understand it.
I have been informed of the risks and benefits involved, and all my questions have been answered to my
satisfaction. Furthermore, I have been assured that any future questions that I may have will also be
answered. I freely and voluntarily agree to participate in SLEPS.
[Online respondent] By clicking NEXT, I am indicating my agreement to participate in SLEPS.
[Paper respondent] By completing this survey, I am indicating my agreement to participate in SLEPS.

Attachment F: LEA cover letter with link
[DATE]
«Salutation» «ContactFirstName» «ContactLastName»
«Agency Name»
«ContactAddress1»
«ContactAddress2»
«ContactCity», «ContactState» «ContactZip»
Dear «Salutation» «ContactLastName»,
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is working with RTI International (RTI), a not-for-profit
research organization, on a research effort regarding the role and presence of law enforcement officers in schools. While
many law enforcement personnel across the nation work closely with schools to ensure that each is a safe place for learning,
and free from threats of crime and violence, little is known about the scope and duties of the law enforcement personnel
who actually work in the schools. The most recent, publicly available data on this important topic is nearly 10 years old.
Your law enforcement agency has been selected to participate in the Survey of Law Enforcement Personnel in Schools
(SLEPS) pre-test. BJS is conducting this pre-test to refine the survey based on feedback from selected law enforcement
agencies before conducting a national data collection. Ultimately, the results of the national data collection will generate
statistics describing the scope, size, characteristics, and functions of law enforcement personnel who work in schools. There
are two phases to the SLEPS pre-test. The first phase is an agency-level questionnaire, which we are contacting you about
now, and includes a request for you to provide a roster of your officers working in schools. The roster will be used to select
officers for the second phase, which is an officer-level questionnaire for which we will send out materials approximately 4
weeks after the due date of the agency-level survey.
This research effort has also garnered the support of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF; see attached letter of
support).
Please use the following information to log onto the SLEPS website ([website]) to complete the first phase of the pre-test.
USERNAME: [Username]

PASSWORD: [Password]

Your participation in both phases of the pre-test is critical to inform the upcoming national data collection and will represent
many other agencies like yours. We look forward to receiving your response by [DUE DATE]. Once we complete the first
phase, we will contact you regarding the second phase. You may preview the officer level questionnaire used in the second
phase here: [website]. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or Alissa Chambers at RTI by phone at (919)
541-6340, or email at [email protected].
We thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely,

Elizabeth Davis
SLEPS Program Manager
US Bureau of Justice Statistics
(202) 305-2667
[email protected]

Enclosure: PERF Letter of Support
OMB #: ####-####. Expiration Date: ##/##/####

Attachment G: LEA thank you/reminder postcard
OMB No. XXXX-xxxx
Exp. Date xx/xx/xxxx

Dear «Salutation» «ContactLastName»,

A few weeks ago, we contacted you regarding the launch of the pre-test for the Survey of Law
Enforcement Personnel in Schools (SLEPS). Your participation is critical to inform the upcoming
national data collection and will represent many other agencies like yours. We kindly ask that you submit
your questionnaire data by [DUE DATE].
If you have already submitted your questionnaire, I thank you for your participation.
If you have not submitted your questionnaire, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible. Please use
the following information to log onto the SLEPS website ([WEBSITE]):
USERNAME: [Username]

PASSWORD: [Password]

Thank you for your help with this important research. If you have any questions, or would like a copy of
the survey sent to you, please contact Alissa Chambers at RTI by phone at (919) 541-6340, or email
at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Davis
SLEPS Program Manager
US Bureau of Justice Statistics
(202) 305-2667
[email protected]

Attachment H: LEA reminder letter

[DATE]
«Salutation» «ContactFirstName» «ContactLastName»
«Agency Name»
«ContactAddress1»
«ContactAddress2»
«ContactCity», «ContactState» «ContactZip»
Dear «Salutation» «ContactLastName»,
I am writing to encourage you to submit data for your agency for the Survey of Law Enforcement Personnel in
Schools (SLEPS) pre-test. Our records show that as of [MAIL DATE], your agency has not submitted a
questionnaire. BJS is conducting this pre-test to refine the survey based on feedback from selected law
enforcement agencies before rolling out a national data collection. Your participation is important to these efforts.
You may participate in this pre-test in one of two ways:
1. Complete the questionnaire online at [website] using the following credentials:
USERNAME: [Username]

PASSWORD: [Password]

2. Complete the paper questionnaire included in this packet and return it using the included prepaid
envelope.
Your participation is critical to inform the upcoming national data collection and will represent many other
agencies like yours. We look forward to receiving your response by [DUE DATE]. If you have any questions,
please contact me or Alissa Chambers at RTI International by phone at (919) 541-6340, or email
at [email protected].
We thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Davis
SLEPS Program Manager
US Bureau of Justice Statistics
(202) 305-2667
[email protected]
Enclosures: SLEPS LEA Questionnaire, BRE

OMB #: ####-####. Expiration Date: ##/##/####

Attachment I: LEA POC cover letter about SRO survey distribution

[DATE]
«Salutation» «ContactFirstName» «ContactLastName»
«Agency Name»
«ContactAddress1»
«ContactAddress2»
«ContactCity», «ContactState» «ContactZip»
Dear «Salutation» «ContactLastName»,
Thank you for your participation in the first phase of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice
Statistics’ Survey of Law Enforcement Personnel in Schools (SLEPS) pre-test. Using the roster you
provided with the Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) Survey, we selected «NUMBER» School Resource
Officers (SROs) from your agency to participate in the second phase of the SLEPS pre-test, the SRO
Survey.
Included in this mailing are envelopes for each selected SRO, labeled by «LEA roster label method». Each
SRO will receive (1) a letter inviting the SRO to participate in the survey and (2) the Police Executive
Research Forum (PERF) letter of support.
Please distribute these envelopes as soon as possible. Each letter includes a person-specific password to
complete the SRO survey so it is important to use the «LEA roster label method» to distribute these
envelopes. Each letter contains your contact information should the SRO have questions about their
authority to participate in the survey; they are instructed to contact Alissa Chambers at RTI International
should they have any questions about the survey.
The participation of the SROs from your agency is critical to inform the upcoming national data collection
and will represent many other SROs like them. We look forward to receiving their responses by «DUE
DATE». If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or Alissa Chambers by phone at (919) 541-6340,
or email at [email protected].
Thank you in advance for coordinating the participation of your agency’s SROs.
Sincerely,

Elizabeth Davis
SLEPS Program Manager
US Bureau of Justice Statistics
(202) 305-2667
[email protected]

Enclosure: «NUMBER» School Resource Officer (SRO) Envelopes

OMB #: ####-####. Expiration Date: ##/##/####

Attachment J: SRO cover letter

[DATE]
«Salutation» «ContactFirstName» «ContactLastName»
«Agency Name»
«ContactAddress1»
«ContactAddress2»
«ContactCity», «ContactState» «ContactZip»
Dear «Salutation» «ContactLastName»,
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is working with RTI International (RTI), a not-forprofit research organization, on a research effort regarding the role and presence of law enforcement officers in schools.
While many law enforcement personnel across the nation work closely with schools to ensure that each is a safe place for
learning and free from threats of crime and violence, little is known about the scope and duties of the law enforcement
personnel who actually work in the schools. The most recent, publicly available data on this important topic is nearly 10
years old.
This research effort has also garnered the support of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF; see attached letter of
support).
This research effort – the Survey of Law Enforcement Personnel in Schools (SLEPS) – begins with a pre-test. BJS is
conducting this pre-test in order to refine the survey based on feedback from selected law enforcement agencies and
school resource officers before rolling out a national data collection. Ultimately, the results of the national data collection
will generate current statistics describing the scope, size, characteristics, and functions of law enforcement personnel that
work in schools.
You have been selected to participate in this pre-test. Please use the following information to log onto the SLEPS website
([website]) to complete the questionnaire.
USERNAME: [Username]

PASSWORD: [Password]

Your participation is critical to inform the upcoming national data collection and will represent many other School
Resource Officers like you. We look forward to receiving your response by [DUE DATE]. If you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me or Alissa Chambers at RTI by phone at (919) 541-6340, or email at [email protected].
This request has been approved by<>; if you have any questions about your agency’s participation
in this pre-test please contact «LEA POC» at «PHONE».
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely,

Elizabeth Davis
SLEPS Program Manager
US Bureau of Justice Statistics
(202) 305-2667
[email protected]

OMB #: ####-####. Expiration Date: ##/##/####

Attachment J: SRO cover letter
Enclosure: PERF Letter of Support

OMB #: ####-####. Expiration Date: ##/##/####

Attachment K: Request to track time
[DATE]
«Salutation» «ContactFirstName» «ContactLastName»
«Agency Name»
«ContactAddress1»
«ContactAddress2»
«ContactCity», «ContactState» «ContactZip»
Dear «Salutation» «ContactLastName»,

I am requesting your assistance to help BJS evaluate the time involved in coordinating the
participation of your agency’s SROs in the SLEPS pre-test. This information will be used to
inform the upcoming national data collection and will help us provide agencies with accurate
estimates of the time and effort involved in this process. We kindly ask that you track your
activities and time spent using the table below.
If you have any questions about this request, please feel free to contact me or Ms. Alissa
Chambers at RTI by phone at (919) 541-6340 or email at [email protected]. After the
conclusion of the SRO data collection, we will contact you to set up a short phone call to discuss
your experience.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Davis
SLEPS Program Manager
US Bureau of Justice Statistics
(202) 305-2667
[email protected]
Activity

Estimated time to complete
(in hours)

Method of distribution (e.g.,
roll call, officer mailbox, etc.)

Distribute SRO survey
materials
Distribute reminders to SROs
Other follow-up contacts with
SROs
Do you have any recommendations on how BJS and RTI could improve this process?

Attachment L: SRO informed consent

Description and Purpose of the Survey of Law Enforcement Personnel in Schools (SLEPS):
SLEPS collects data on law enforcement agencies and school resource officers across the United States.
You have been selected from a scientific sample of approximately 460 School Resource Officers from
across the country.
Sponsor: The survey is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics
(BJS). RTI International, a not-for-profit research organization, is conducting the study on the behalf of
BJS.
Procedures: The survey may be completed online, faxed, or mailed back in a prepaid envelope. It is
estimated to take about 30 minutes to complete, on average.
Financial Considerations: There is no monetary incentive for completing the survey.
Voluntary Participation: Your participation is completely voluntary. You can refuse to answer any and
all questions.
Privacy and Confidentiality: The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is authorized to conduct this data
collection under 34 U.S.C § 10132. BJS will protect and maintain the confidentiality of your personally
identifiable information (PII) to the fullest extent under federal law. BJS, its employees, and its contractors
will only use the information you provide for statistical or research purposes pursuant to 34 U.S.C. §
10134, and will not disclose your information in identifiable form to anyone outside of the BJS project
team without your consent. All PII collected under BJS’s authority is protected under the confidentiality
provisions of 34 U.S.C. § 10231. Any person who violates these provisions may be punished by a fine of
up to $10,000 in addition to any other penalties imposed by law. Further, per the Cybersecurity
Enhancement Act of 2015 (6 U.S.C. § 151), federal information systems are protected from malicious
activities through cybersecurity screening of transmitted data. For more information on how BJS and its
contractors will use and protect your information, go to
https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/BJS_Data_Protection_Guidelines.pdf.
Possible Benefits and Risks: There are no direct benefits to you for participating in the survey. The
potential exists for loss of privacy, though our procedures are designed to protect and secure your
information.
Further Questions: If you have any questions about the research now or in the future you can contact
the RTI Project Director, Duren Banks at 1-800-334-8571, extension 28026. If you have questions about
your rights as a study participant, you can call RTI's Office of Research Protection and Ethics toll-free at
1-866-214-2043.
Statement of Consent: I have read the description of this research provided above and I understand it.
I have been informed of the risks and benefits involved, and all my questions have been answered to my
satisfaction. Furthermore, I have been assured that any future questions that I may have will also be
answered. I freely and voluntarily agree to participate in SLEPS.
[Online respondent] By clicking NEXT, I am indicating my agreement to participate in SLEPS.
[Paper respondent] By completing this survey, I am indicating my agreement to participate in SLEPS.

Attachment M: LEA POC letter – SRO thank you/reminder postcard

[DATE]
«Salutation» «ContactFirstName» «ContactLastName»
«Agency Name»
«ContactAddress1»
«ContactAddress2»
«ContactCity», «ContactState» «ContactZip»
Dear «Salutation» «ContactLastName»,
A couple of weeks ago, we asked you to distribute envelopes containing invitations for selected SROs to
participate in the second phase of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Survey of
Law Enforcement Personnel in Schools (SLEPS) pre-test. Included in this mailing are postcards for each
selected SRO, labeled by «LEA roster label method».
Please distribute these postcards as soon as possible. They serve as a thank you for the SROs that
completed their survey and as a reminder for the SROs that have not yet had a chance to complete the
survey. Each postcard includes a person-specific password to complete the SRO survey so it is important
to use the «LEA roster label method» to distribute these postcards.
The participation of the SROs from your agency is critical to inform the upcoming national data collection
and will represent many other SROs like them. Each postcard contains your contact information should the
SRO have questions about their authority to participate in the survey; they are instructed to contact Alissa
Chambers at RTI International should they have any questions about the survey. If you have any questions,
you may also contact me or Ms. Chambers by phone at (919) 541-6340 or email at [email protected].
We look forward to receiving their responses by «DUE DATE». Thank you in advance for coordinating
the participation of your agency’s SROs.
Sincerely,

Elizabeth Davis
SLEPS Program Manager
US Bureau of Justice Statistics
(202) 305-2667
[email protected]

Enclosure: «NUMBER» School Resource Officer (SRO) Postcards

OMB #: ####-####. Expiration Date: ##/##/####

Attachment N: SRO thank you/reminder postcard
OMB No. XXXX-xxxx
Exp. Date xx/xx/xxxx

Dear «Salutation» «ContactLastName»,

A few weeks ago, we contacted you regarding the launch of the pre-test for the Survey of Law
Enforcement Personnel in Schools (SLEPS). Your participation is critical to inform the upcoming
national data collection and will represent many other School Resource Officers like you. We kindly ask
that you submit your questionnaire data by [DUE DATE].
If you have already submitted your questionnaire, I thank you for your participation.
If you have not submitted your questionnaire, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible. Please use
the following information to log onto the SLEPS website ([WEBSITE]):
USERNAME: [Username]

PASSWORD: [Password]

This request has been approved by <>; if you have any questions about your
agency’s participation in this pre-test please contact «LEA POC» at «PHONE».
Thank you for your help with this important research. If you have any questions, or would like a copy of
the questionnaire sent to you, please contact me or Alissa Chambers at RTI International by phone at
(919) 541-6340, or email at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Davis
SLEPS Program Manager
US Bureau of Justice Statistics
(202) 305-2667
[email protected]

Attachment O: LEA POC letter – SRO reminder

[DATE]
«Salutation» «ContactFirstName» «ContactLastName»
«Agency Name»
«ContactAddress1»
«ContactAddress2»
«ContactCity», «ContactState» «ContactZip»
Dear «Salutation» «ContactLastName»,
In the past month, you distributed survey invitations and survey reminders to the selected SROs for the
second phase of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Survey of Law Enforcement
Personnel in Schools (SLEPS) pre-test. We are following up once again to encourage your participation.
Included in this mailing are letters for each selected SRO who has not yet completed their SRO survey,
labeled by «LEA roster label method». Each of these SROs will receive (1) a letter reminding them to
complete the SRO survey, (2) a paper version of the SRO survey, and (3) a business reply envelope to
return their completed survey.
Please distribute these envelopes as soon as possible. Each letter includes a person-specific password to
complete the SRO survey so it is important to use the «LEA roster label method» to distribute these
envelopes. Each letter contains your contact information should the SRO have questions about their
authority to participate in the survey; they are instructed to contact Alissa Chambers at RTI International
should they have any questions about the survey.
The participation of the SROs from your agency is critical to inform the upcoming national data collection
and will represent many other SROs like them. If you have any questions, you may also contact me or Ms.
Chambers by phone at 919-541-6340 or email at [email protected].
We look forward to receiving their responses by «DUE DATE». Thank you in advance for coordinating
the participation of your agency’s SROs.
Sincerely,

Elizabeth Davis
SLEPS Program Manager
US Bureau of Justice Statistics
(202) 305-2667
[email protected]

Enclosure: «NUMBER» School Resource Officer (SRO) Envelopes

OMB #: ####-####. Expiration Date: ##/##/####

Attachment P: SRO reminder letter

[DATE]
«Salutation» «ContactFirstName» «ContactLastName»
«Agency Name»
«ContactAddress1»
«ContactAddress2»
«ContactCity», «ContactState» «ContactZip»
Dear «Salutation» «ContactLastName»,
Our records show that as of [MAIL DATE], you have not submitted a questionnaire for the Survey of Law
Enforcement Personnel in Schools (SLEPS) pre-test. BJS is conducting this pre-test to refine the survey based on
feedback from selected law enforcement agencies and school resource officers before rolling out a national data
collection.
You can participate in this pre-test in one of two ways:
1. Complete the questionnaire online at [website] using the following credentials:
USERNAME: [Username]

PASSWORD: [Password]

2. Complete the paper questionnaire included in this packet and return it using the included prepaid
envelope.
Your participation is critical to inform the upcoming national data collection and will represent many other
School Resource Officers like you. We look forward to receiving your response by [DUE DATE]. If you have
any questions, please contact me or Alissa Chambers at RTI International by phone at (919) 541-6340, or email
at [email protected].
This request has been approved by <>; if you have any questions about your agency’s
participation in this pre-test please contact «LEA POC» at «PHONE».
We thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Davis
SLEPS Program Manager
US Bureau of Justice Statistics
(202) 305-2667
[email protected]

Enclosures: SLEPS SRO Questionnaire

OMB #: ####-####. Expiration Date: ##/##/####

Attachment Q: SRO Survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

Survey of Law Enforcement Personnel in Schools (SLEPS)
School Resource Officer (SRO) Survey
2017 Pre-test
INSTRUCTIONS
• This survey should be completed by the selected sworn law enforcement officer with
general arrest powers who is primarily assigned to any public K-12 school. For the
purposes of this survey, we will refer to the officer as an SRO.
• The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended (34 USC
10132), authorizes this information collection. Although this survey is voluntary, we
need your participation to make the results comprehensive, accurate, and timely. We
greatly appreciate your assistance.

Burden Statement
Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is
not required to respond to a collection of information, unless it displays a current valid
OMB Control Number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this
burden estimate, or any other aspects of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810
Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC 20531.

Attachment Q: SRO Survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

SRO CHARACTERISTICS

1.

Approximately how many years have you served as a sworn law enforcement officer?
Mark only one.






2.

Approximately how many years have you worked as an SRO in your career? Please count
the total number of years you’ve worked as an SRO even if you held other positions at
times. Mark only one.






3.

Less than 1 year
1–2 years
3–5 years
6–10 years
More than 10 years

Approximately how many years have you worked as an SRO at your current
assignment? Mark only one.






4.

Less than 1 year
1–2 years
3–5 years
6–10 years
More than 10 years

Less than 1 year
1–2 years
3–5 years
6–10 years
More than 10 years

Is your assignment as an SRO a single permanent assignment (i.e., you only serve as an
SRO) or do you rotate to other assignments (e.g., juvenile detective, routine patrol)? Mark
only one.
 Single permanent assignment
 Rotate to other assignments

5.

Are you currently certified by a national or state SRO association?
 Yes – national association (i.e. NASRO)
 Yes – state association
 No

2

Attachment Q: SRO Survey
6.

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

For what part of the year are you currently assigned as an SRO? Mark only one.
 During part of the school year
 During the full traditional school year
 Year-round

7.

To how many schools are you currently assigned as an SRO? Please do not include schools
where you might be called in to help, but are not part of your official assignment.






One
Two
Three
Four
Five or more

SRO TRAINING
The next set of questions is about your training on law enforcement, prevention and planning,
and social and behavioral topics.
8.

At any point during your career, have you received any training on any of the following
law enforcement topics?
Law enforcement activity/topic:
a. De-escalation strategies and techniques
b. Gangs
c. Procedures for handling juvenile offenders
d. Responding to calls for service on the school campus
e. Responding to incidents in the classroom
f. Social media monitoring
g. Use of deadly force
h. Use of less lethal force

3

Yes

No

Attachment Q: SRO Survey
9.

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

At any point during your career, have you received any training on any of the following
prevention and planning topics?
Prevention and planning topic/activity:

Yes

No

a. Administering special safety programs (e.g., drugs, legal issues,
crime awareness, distracted driving)
b. Bullying deterrence
c. Crisis preparedness planning
d. Security audits/assessments of school campuses
e. Substance abuse recognition
f. Truancy intervention

10.

At any point during your career, have you received any training on any of the following
social and behavioral topics?
Social and behavioral topic:
a. Child/adolescent psychology/development
b. Conflict resolution
c. Cultural sensitivity and/or cultural
competency
d. Mental health issues
e. Mentoring staff, students, and/or families
f. Positive school discipline (e.g., PBIS)
g. Students with disabilities

4

Yes

No

Attachment Q: SRO Survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

SRO ACTIVITIES
The next set of questions is about activities you performed in the past 30 days as part of your SRO duties.
We are interested in law enforcement, mentoring, and teaching activities.

11.

As part of your SRO duties, which of the following law enforcement activities did you
perform on or around school grounds in the past 30 days? Mark all that apply.













12.

As part of your SRO duties, which of the following mentoring activities did you perform
on or around school grounds in the past 30 days? Mark all that apply.






13.

Conducted searches
Confiscated drugs
Confiscated weapons
Crisis preparedness planning
Issued criminal citations
Made arrests
Patrolled school facilities
Responded to calls for service on the school campus
Responded to incidents in the classroom
Security audits/ assessments of school campuses
Social media monitoring
Other (please specify):___________________________

Advised school staff, students, or families (one-on-one, in a group, etc.)
Coached athletic programs
Field trip chaperone
Supervised/coordinated non-athletic extracurricular activities
Truancy intervention

As part of your SRO duties, which of the following teaching activities did you perform on
or around school grounds in the past 30 days? Mark all that apply.
 Administering special safety programs (e.g., drugs, legal issues, crime awareness,
distracted driving)
 Conflict resolution
 Faculty/staff in-service presentations
 Parent organization presentations

5

Attachment Q: SRO Survey
14.

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

Approximately what percentage of your duty time was spent on the following in-school
activities over the past 30 days? If you do not perform an activity, enter “0”. The total of
all activities should be 100%.
Percentage
(out of 100)
_______

Activity:
a. Conducting law enforcement activities
b. Conducting mentoring activities with students/staff/families

_______

c. Conducting teaching activities

_______

d. Administrative functions/paperwork related to the above activities

_______

e. Other. Please specify:______________________________________

_______

TOTAL

15.

100%

During the past 12 months, have you arrested any student(s) for the following offenses?
Offense:
a. Assault on school staff/faculty/security/SROs
b. Disorderly conduct
c. Drug distribution
d. Drug possession
e. Electronic/social media crimes (e.g., cyberbullying, sexting)
f. Failure to obey a police officer
g. Fighting
h. Theft
i. Threats against faculty
j. Threats against school facility
k. Threats against students
l. Weapon possession
m. Weapon use
n. Other (please specify):_______________________________

6

Yes

No

Attachment Q: SRO Survey
16.

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

If you are in a situation where you arrest a student, what role does the school
administration play in your arrest decision? Mark only one.
 No impact, as arrest determination is made solely by myself or other sworn personnel
 Memorandum of understanding or other agreement specifies situations where the
school can have influence over my arrest decisions
 School administration reviews all arrest-eligible incidents and can provide input
regarding my arrest decision
 SROs do not have arrest powers in my assigned school
 Other (please specify): ____________________________________________________

17.

Do you speak any language other than English?
 Yes (Please specify): _____________________________________________________
 No - GO TO QUESTION 19

18.

Is this other language useful when interacting with students in the school to which you are
assigned?
 Yes
 No

7

Attachment Q: SRO Survey

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

PRIMARILY ASSIGNED SCHOOL CHARACTERISTICS
The next set of questions focuses on the school to which you are primarily assigned. If you are assigned
to more than one school, please answer based on the school where you spend most of your time. If your
time is split evenly between 2 or more schools, please answer based on the school you worked in most
recently.

19.

Which type of school do you primarily serve in your current assignment as an SRO? Mark
only one.
 Elementary school (lowest grade is not higher than grade 3 and the highest grade is not higher than
grade 8)

 Middle school (lowest grade is not lower than grade 4 and the highest grade is not higher than grade
9)

 High school (lowest grade is not lower than grade 9 and the highest grade is not higher than grade
12)

 Combined school (e.g., K-8, K-12)
20.

On average, how many hours per week do you work at this school? _______

21.

Are there known gangs at your primarily assigned school?
 Yes
 No
 Don’t know

22.

Not counting yourself, how many SROs share your shift at your primarily assigned school?
__________

8

Attachment Q: SRO Survey
23.

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

Other than SROs, what security measures are in place at your primarily assigned school?
Mark all that apply.
 Closed campus (students not allowed to leave during school hours without permission)
 Controlled access to school buildings during school hours (e.g. locked or monitored
doors)
 Controlled access to school grounds (e.g. locked or monitored gates)
 Metal detectors
 Random sweeps for contraband (e.g. drugs, weapons), including dog sniffs
 School-issued student IDs
 School security guards, nonsworn
 Security camera(s) to monitor school buildings and/or grounds
 Structured anonymous threat reporting system (e.g. online submission, text messaging,
telephone hotline)
 Student dress code/uniform
 Other means of restricting access (please specify): _____________________________
 Other measures not listed (please specify): ___________________________________

24.

Restorative practices are intended to build a sense of school community and resolve
conflict by repairing harm and restoring positive relationships. Positive Behavioral
Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a school-wide intervention that teaches school staff to
recognize, monitor, and reward appropriate student behaviors and to provide consistent
sanctions for rule violations.
Are you involved in the process of engaging students in restorative practices and/or PBIS at
your primarily assigned school?
 Yes
 No
 Don’t know/not familiar with these practices

9

Attachment Q: SRO Survey
25.

OMB No. XXXX-XXXX; Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

We would like to obtain information about the school you primarily work in by linking to
data that has been collected about that school in other surveys. In order to access
information about the school, we will need to know the name of the school. We will only
use the name of the school to access information collected from other surveys about the
characteristics of that particular school (i.e. the size and composition of the student
population) and will not release your data to any agency or individual who is not directly
involved with our research. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) will use this information
for research purposes only. What is the name and location of the school in which you
primarily work?
School Name ___________________________________________________________
City_________________________________ State________________

10

Attachment R: IRB submission confirmation
RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE
COMMITTEE FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS
Request for Approval of Research Protocol
RTI Project/Proposal No. _0214546_________________________________ Date ___09/25/2017_
To meet the requirements of Federal regulations (45 CFR 46) and RTI Policy and Procedures
Memorandum 1030, details of a research project that will involve human subjects must be submitted to
the RTI Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects for review and approval before participation by
human subjects begin. To request approval for such research, the Project Leader must complete this
form, attach the informed consent and relevant supporting materials (e.g., questionnaires or other data
collection forms, advance letters, agreements to participate), and deliver the request to one of the
Administrators, Diana Sparrow or Evelyn Studer. The Project Leader will be notified if it is necessary to
meet with the Committee and will be informed of the results of the Committee's review.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Title: Survey of Law Enforcement Personnel in Schools (SLEPS)
Sponsor: Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)
Check Here If Grant
Project Duration:
From___1/04/2015 a_______________
Month/Day/Year

To:____12/31/2018a______
Month/Day/Year

Date Approval Requested: __________09/25/2017_____________________
Month/Day/Year
Date Participation of Human Subjects Scheduled to Begin: __11/01/2017a____________________
Month/Day/Year
Reason for Review: (Check One)
Proposal

X

Pretest or
Pilot

Renewal

Full Study
Implementation

Pre-Award

Other

(specify)
Project Leader__Duren Banks ____________________________________________

Date_____09/25/2017______________________________ ___________________________
Signature
a

Dates of overall project period of performance. Work requested under this IRB application expected to be conducted
between 11/1/2017 and 6/30/2018.

1

I. STUDY DESCRIPTION
__________________________________________________________________________________
A. Type of Study:
(Check all that apply)

X

Survey
Record abstraction
Participation observation
Laboratory experiment or measurement
Device, drug, or procedural trial
Biological specimen collection
Environmental measurement or testing
Other (specify)

B. Study Aims: (200-300 words)
While many law enforcement personnel across the nation work closely with schools to ensure that each
is a safe place for learning, and free from threats of crime and violence, little is known about the scope
and duties of the law enforcement personnel who actually work in the schools. The most recent,
publicly available data on this important topic is nearly 10 years old. BJS is conducting this pre-test to
refine the survey based on feedback from selected law enforcement agencies before conducting a
national data collection. Ultimately, the results of the national data collection will generate statistics
describing the scope, size, characteristics, and functions of law enforcement personnel that work in
schools. The study includes two phases: (1) Law Enforcement Agency Survey with School Resource
Officer roster request and (2) School Resource Officer Survey.
II. STUDY DESCRIPTION
_________________________________________________________________________________
A. Sample Size(s): _250 Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and 463 School Resource Officers
(SROs)
B. Special Populations (Check all that apply)
None
Minors
Newborns
Pregnant
HIV infected
Prisoners
Alcohol, drug, or mental health program clients

2

Attachment R: IRB submission confirmation
Incompetent
X

Employees (specify)_ SROs employed by LEAs_________________
RTI Employees, their family member or friends
(specify)_________________________________________________
Other (specify)____________________________________________

C. Sample Selection Procedure(s): (100-200 words)
The SLEPS pretest pre-test will utilize a two-stage, stratified SRS sample design. In the first stage, a
sample of 250 LEAs will be selected across five strata: (1) 0 SROs, (2) unknown number of SROs, (3)
1-5 SROs, (4) 6+ SROs, and (5) Self-Representing (New York City Police Department). We expect 180
sampled LEAs (72%) to submit LEA questionnaires and 125 (50%) to return SRO rosters by the cutoff
date for SRO sampling. Within rostered LEAs, a random set of SROs will be selected according to the
following rules:
• Agencies with 1-5 SROs – sample all SROs
• Agencies with 6-10 SROs – sample 75% of SROs (with a minimum of 5)
• Agencies with 11-30 SROs – sample 50% of SROs (with a minimum of 8)
• Agencies with 31+ SROs – sample 10% of SROs (with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 50)
This protocol is expected to yield a sample of n=462 SROs, and 370 (80%) of these are expected to
submit an SRO questionnaire.
D. Participant Recruitment Procedures: (50-100 words)
Once we draw the LEA sample, we will send an introductory mailing to the point of contact (depending
on what is available, this may be by name or position) which includes (1) a letter explaining the survey
and inviting them to participate and (2) a letter of support from Police Executive Research Forum
(PERF).
Once we draw the SRO sample, we will send an introductory mailing to the sampled SRO which
includes (1) a letter explaining the survey and inviting them to participate and (2) a letter of support from
PERF.
III. INFORMED CONSENT. Informed consent must be obtained. A copy of the informed consent must
be attached to this protocol.
A. Type: Check One
X

Written not signed
Written and signed
Verbal not signed
Verbal and signed
Both verbal and written

B. Informed Consent Procedures (200-300 words)

3

Copy of Informed Consent Left with Participant
The informed consent will appear at the beginning of the paper questionnaire as well as the beginning
of the online questionnaire. The respondent will read through the bulleted item list and by moving
forward, they indicate their agreement to participate in SLEPS. See Attachment A1a (LEA) and
Attachment B1a (SRO).
Copy of Consent with Consent Form Checklist Attached
See Attachments A1b and B1b for copies of Consent Form Checklists.
C. Individual Participant Burden
Law Enforcement Agency Survey Point of Contact
3

.

04

Hours

67

hours

School Resource Officer
0

.

D. Participant Compensation
Law Enforcement Agency Point of Contact
X

None
$

.

School Resource Officer
X

None
$

.

E. Number of Recontacts:
Law Enforcement Agency Point of Contact
None

5

Recontacts

School Resource Officer
None

4

Attachment R: IRB submission confirmation

2

Recontacts

F. Future Contacts:
Future contact is planned
No future contact is envisioned
X

Future contact might or could be considered

Pre-test participants may be included (or not) in the main study sample fielded in 2019.
IV. DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES
A. Type: (Check all that apply)

X

Survey

Biological Specimen

NA

NA

Mail

Invasive

Anonymous

Noninvasive

Personal Interview
X

Self-administered Questionnaire

Device, Drug, or Procedure Trial

X

Telephone Interview

NA

Other (specify)

Invasive

______________________________

Noninvasive

Record Abstraction

Laboratory Experiment or Measurement

NA

NA

File review

Psychological

At agency or facility

Physical invasive

Computer

Physical noninvasive

Request records from agency or
facility

Focus group

Other (specify)

Other (specify)

_____________________________

________________________________

B. Description of Procedures: (200-300 words)
The overall timeline for the SLEPS pre-test is five months. The Law Enforcement Agency (LEA) survey
will be in the field for two and a half months. This includes time for completing the questionnaire and
School Resource Officer (SRO) roster. For one month, RTI will select the SRO sample based on the
completed rosters. The SRO survey will be in the field for six weeks.

5

On Day 0, LEAs will receive the introductory mailing, which includes a letter introducing the survey and
inviting the point of contact to participate (see Attachment C) and a letter of support from the Police
Executive Research Forum (PERF; see Attachment D). We will conduct a mode experiment during the
pre-test whereby half of the sampled LEAs also receive a paper survey (see Attachment E), a roster
request (see Attachment F), and business reply envelope (see Attachment G). On Day 14, all sampled
LEAs will receive a thank you / reminder postcard (see Attachment H). On Day 28, all to-date
nonresponding LEAs will receive a reminder letter (see Attachment I) with a paper survey(see
Attachment E), a roster request (see Attachment F), and business reply envelope. On Day 49, we will
begin telephone outreach, including interviewing. LEA data collection will end on Day 67.
After sampling SROs, on Day 98, sampled SROs will receive the introductory mailing, which includes a
letter introducing the survey and inviting the SRO to participate (see Attachment J) and a letter of
support from PERF (see Attachment D). If the LEA POC chooses to coordinate the SRO survey, they
will receive a letter explaining how to distribute these communications (see Attachment K). We will
select 25 POCs, across sampling stratum, to track their time for coordinating the SRO survey (see
Attachment L). On Day 112, all sampled SROs will receive a thank you / reminder postcard (see
Attachment M). If the LEA POC chooses to coordinate the SRO survey, they will receive a letter
explaining how to distribute these communications (see Attachment N). On Day 126, all to-date nonresponding SROs will receive a reminder letter (see Attachment O) with a paper survey (see
Attachment P) and business reply envelope. If the LEA POC chooses to coordinate the SRO survey,
they will receive a letter explaining how to distribute these communications (see Attachment Q). SRO
data collection will end on Day 137.
V. POTENTIAL RISKS
A. Type: (Check one or more)
X

None
Minimal physical
Minimal psychological/social/legal
Substantial physical
Substantial psychological/social/legal

B. Description of Physical Risks: (200-300 words)
None.
C. Description of Psychological/Social/Legal Risks: (100-200 words)
None.
VI. PROTECTION OF SUBJECTS:
A. Guarantees:
Anonymity (no link between individual and data is possible)
Confidentiality (RTI guarantee only)
X

Confidentiality (RTI & other guarantee) (specify)

6

Attachment R: IRB submission confirmation
__RTI and Police Executive Research Form (PERF) staff who are part
of the SLEPS project team___________________________________
________________________________________________________
B. Types of Procedures Provided to Reduce or Alleviate Risks
Maintenance or environmental cleanup or correction
Psychological counseling
Medical treatment
X

Other (specify)
___________ N/A__________________________________________
________________________________________________________

C. Description of Procedures to Reduce or Alleviate Risks: (100-200 words)
None.
D. Description of Security Measures: (50-100 words)
Data identifiable to a private person will not be used or revealed, except as authorized under 28 CFR
Part 22, Sections 22.21 & 22.22. Access to the data will be limited to those employees having a need
for such data and that such employees shall be advised of and agree in writing to comply with the
regulations in 28 CFR Part 22. All contractors, subcontractors, and consultants requiring access to
identifiable data will agree, through conditions in their subcontract or consultant agreement, to comply
with the requirements of 28 CFR §22.24 regarding information transfer agreements and that the Bureau
of Justice Statistics (BJS) will be provided copies of all transfer agreements before they are executed
as well as the name and title of the individuals with the authority to transfer data.
VII. BENEFITS
A. Information Provided to Study Participants
X

No direct benefit
Medical or physical data (e.g., serum levels)
Social data (e.g., eligibility for service)
Psychological data (e.g., test scores)
Environmental data (e.g., toxicity levels)
Other (please specify)
______________________________________________________

Brief description:___N/A____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

7

B. Services Provided to Study Participants:
X

No direct services provided
Medical or rehabilitation treatment
Social/economic service
Psychological counseling
Environmental cleanup or correction
Other (please specify)
______________________________________________________

Brief description:__N/A_____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
C. Other Benefits: (please describe)
None.
VIII. RISK/BENEFIT RATIO
A. Type:
X

No risk/no individual benefit
Minimal risk/no individual benefit
Minimal risk/minimal individual benefit
Minimal risk/substantial individual benefit
Substantial risk/substantial individual benefit
Substantial risk/substantial research/society benefit

B. Weighing of Risk/Benefit: (200-300 words)
N/A
IX. SPECIAL ISSUES

A. Type of Issue or Risk:
X

None
Collaborative research

8

Attachment R: IRB submission confirmation
RTI is prime contractor
RTI is subcontractor
Other (please specify)_______________________________
Need to release information on risk
Follow-on studies
Other (please specify)_____________________________
__________________________________________________
B. Discussion of Special Issues and Approach to Minimize Risks: (200-300 words)
N/A

X. NEEDS FOR FUTURE REVIEW

X

Pre-Award

Date

__________________

Pretest/Pilot

Date

__________________

Full Study Implementation

Date

January 1, 2019 (estimated)

Renewal

Date

__________________

Other (please specify)

Date

__________________

January 3, 2013

9


File Typeapplication/pdf
AuthorBushra Mahmood
File Modified2017-10-03
File Created2017-10-03

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