Impact of School Resource Officer and/or Security Guard Presence on Native American Referrals and Arrests in Montana’s Schools

Abstract

Native Americans experience disproportionate referrals to law enforcement and arrests in public schools in Montana. The study uses U.S. Office of Civil Rights data reported at the school level ( n = 822) for the 2015–2016 school year, which is aggregated by race and gender. All students in schools with school resource officers (SROs) and/or security guards (SGs) present have higher total numbers and rates of referrals and arrests. Native American female students are twice as likely to be referred to law enforcement ( p < .001) and 2.5 times more likely to be arrested when SROs and/or SGs are present at the school ( p < .05). Native American male students are 2.2 times more likely to be referred to law enforcement ( p < .001) and 1.7 times more likely to be arrested when SROs and/or SGs are present at the school ( p < .001). Native American mean rates of referrals and arrest are higher in urban and reservation contexts ( p < .05). Native American student disparities in referrals and arrests mirror disproportionate percentage of Native American female and male adults incarcerated in Montana. Native American students are more likely to experience the school-to-prison pipeline unless SROs and SGs are removed from Montana schools.