Merced Police Department G.R.E.A.T.

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 Merced Police Department will utilize its Fiscal Year 2007 G.R.E.A.T funding to implement the G.R.E.A.T. Middle School, Elementary School and Summer components. The Middle School Component will be taught to all 6th graders within the four middle schools of the Merced City School District. The G.R.E.A.T Officers will teach the elementary 3rd and 4th grade students at the Merced Boys and Girls Club. One session will be taught in the spring season and the other in the fall season. The Summer Component is held at a local middle school campus within the Merced City School District, Monday through Thursday. The main focuses of the Summer Component will be leadership, goal setting, teamwork, and community.

CA/NCF