G.R.E.A.T Gang Resistance Education and Training
One officer, PFC J. S. Barton, is assigned to the GREAT Program, teaching at four junior high schools in Parkersburg each year.
In addition to teaching GREAT in the schools, the department has been involved in other community events relating to GREAT. During Parkersburg Homecoming, volunteers and officers have worked the GREAT and Neighborhood Watch booths from a camper furnished at no charge from Wolfe Camper Sales, DuPont Road. This allows the department an opportunity to give the public material on the GREAT Program as well as other materials.
The GREAT Program is funded by donations and grants. If you would like to make a donation please contact PFC J. S. Barton at 304-424-8444.
G.R.E.A.T.
GREAT-gang resistance education and training-is a preventive program. The goal of the program is to prevent youth crime, violence, and gang involvement. The program is also designed to develop positive relationships among law enforcement, families, and our youth to create a safer community.
The GREAT lessons focus on:
- Facts and Fiction about Gangs and Violence
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Setting Realistic and Achievable Goals
- Decision- Making
- Effective Communication
- Listening Skills
- Refusal Skills Practice
- Anger Management
- Tips for Calming others
- Conflict Resolution Practices
To SCHOOLS...
With your administrative assistance, Project GREAT will provide:
- A specially trained, uniformed police officer once a week for a school semester to teach 13 Great lessons to seventh graders. These lessons require 45 minutes to one hour of class times
- Opportunities for the officer to interact with the students during lunch time, playground activities, and other appropriate times during the school day
It would be appreciated if you could regard the officer as an educator. No law enforcement activities should be expected of the officer except in emergencies.
G.R.E.A.T. History
In 1991, the G.R.E.A.T. Program was developed through a combined effort of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Phoenix Police Department.
The program began as an eight-lesson middle school curriculum. In early 1992, the first G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training was held, and in 1993, the program was expanded nationwide. In 1998, the program added four additional law enforcement agencies to assist in administering the program: La Crosse, Wisconsin, Police Department; Orange County, Florida, Sheriff's Office; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Police Department; and Portland, Oregon, Police Bureau.
In 1995, a five-year longitudinal evaluation was initiated which showed the following positive results for students who had completed the training: lower levels of victimization, more negative views about gangs, more favorable attitudes about police, reduction in risk-seeking behaviors, and increased association with peers involved in prosocial activities.
During 1999-2000, the program underwent an extensive program and curriculum review. The objective was to ensure program adherence to the latest scientifically supported data regarding prevention and educational research and theory. This review enhanced the original program to 13 lessons, placed more emphasis on active learning, and increased teacher involvement. The new curriculum was successfully piloted in 14 cities nationwide in 2001 and implemented nationally beginning in 2003. Currently, the G.R.E.A.T. Program consists of a 13-week middle school curriculum, an elementary curriculum, a summer program, and families training.
In 2004, Congress directed that overall program administration be transferred to the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). In October 2004, a grant was awarded by BJA to the Institute for Intergovernmental Research® (IIR) to provide national training coordination services and related tasks.
Since its inception in 1991, over 8,000 law enforcement officers have been certified as G.R.E.A.T. instructors and more than four million students have graduated from the G.R.E.A.T. Program.
