New Bedford Police Department''s G.R.E.A.T. Program

The Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program is a life-skills competency program designed to provide students with the skills they need to avoid gang pressure and youth violence. G.R.E.A.T.'s violence prevention curriculum helps students develop values and practice behaviors that will assist them to avoid destructive activities. The G.R.E.A.T. program coordinates with federal, regional, state and local agencies, as well as individuals from community and civic groups. The goal of the G.R.E.A.T. program is to train law enforcement officers in a school-based curriculum in which the officers provide instruction to school-aged children in life skill competencies, gang awareness, and anti-violence techniques. Training in the core G.R.E.A.T. program is provided to officers from any state or local law enforcement agency. The G.R.E.A.T components to be implemented by the New Bedford Police Department (NBPD) include the Elementary School, Middle School, Families and Summer Components. The Middle School, Families and Summer Components have been implemented by the NBPD with previous G.R.E.A.T. grant funding; making the implementation of these programs with new funding immediate. This will allow the MBPD to accomplish goals and outcomes within twelve months.

CA/NCF