Evaluation of Campus Police Officers In Scottish Schools
Ipsos were commissioned by the Scottish Government to conduct an independent national evaluation of campus officers in Scotland. The research used a mixed method case study approach to explore the roles that officers play in Scottish schools and provide evidence on the impact and effectiveness of their placements. A best practice guide was created to help local decision makers through the process of deployment and the practicalities of placing an officer in a school.
- Download the research findings (PDF)
- Download the full report (PDF)
- Download the report appendicies (PDF)
Technical details
A mixed method case study approach was adopted. During the mapping stage, telephone interviews were conducted with 46 campus officers, 52 headteachers and 24 other members of staff who worked closely with the campus officer(s). This information was used in selecting 11 case study schools visited by the research team. During the visits, the officers were observed in situ and interviews were conducted at each school with deputes, multi-agency workers, pupils, campus officers and their line managers. A number of interviews were also conducted with parents and other members of the community. A range of stakeholder interviews were conducted to explore attitudes towards the role and to collect funding and cost information.
National school statistics, crime data and data from the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration were collected to support the qualitative data. Eleven comparison schools were selected (where campus officers were not operational) to enable comparison of data trends pre and post the deployment date of a campus officer. Telephone interviews were conducted with headteachers at each comparison school.
Fieldwork took place between November 2008 and May 2009.
