Gang Resistance Education and Training

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 Malden Police Department (MPD) will utilize grant funds to implement the G.R.E.A.T program. The Malden Police Department has two full time school officers assigned to both the high school and kindergarten through grade eight. These officers are multifaceted, creating the information link between school administrators and police officials. These officers regularly attend school meetings for many issues. Officers have been involved with conflict resolution strategies and sessions for students that attend after school activities and are involved in many other issues. These officers would be devoted to the cause of the G.R.E.A.T program, and would assist the dedicated G.R.E.A.T officer in his/her daily duties, or any other issues that may arise. This would include summer events, and/or field trips where chaperones would be needed. With a dedicated G.R.E.A.T officer, the MPD would fully commit to the mission of the G.R.E.A.T program. With the assistance of various area agencies and other officers from the department, the G.R.E.A.T mission can be spread. In addition, a component would be utilized during the summer months to reach a wide array of youth. This would be achieved by assigning officers to assist in local parks with structured events/activities, as well as periodic relevant field trips.

CA/NCF