Preventing School Violence in the New Semester... Establishing a Collaboration System Between SPO and Dedicated Investigators

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 3rd that it will operate an intensive school violence prevention campaign from the 4th of this month until the 30th of next month.

Cho Ji-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. [Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the police, the number of School Police Officers (SPO) has increased from 133 to 149, reducing the number of schools per officer from 10.5 to 9.2. In line with the newly implemented 'Dedicated School Violence Investigator' system, a hotline between SPOs and dedicated investigators will also be established.

The new semester is the period when school violence occurs most frequently throughout the year. In fact, the number of school violence reports in March and April last year was 30.3% higher than the annual average. Over the past five years, the number of referrals for 13-year-olds has been decreasing, but referrals of elementary students (ages 10 to 12) increased by 132.6% compared to 2019. Cybercrime, drug offenses, and gambling among youth have also risen sharply.

Number of School Violence Reports to 117.
[Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency]

To respond to the trend of younger offenders, the Seoul Police will conduct prevention education tailored to elementary school students by SPOs. They plan to deliver case-based lessons emphasizing that juvenile offenders are subject to punishment and can be sentenced to up to two years in juvenile detention centers (juvenile protection measures 8 to 10).

Jo Ji-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated, “With growing public interest in school violence and youth crime, and increased expectations for the police and education authorities, the number of SPOs has been increased and the dedicated school violence investigator system has been implemented. We will strive to ensure the system is firmly established.” He added, “Considering youth crime trends, we will work to make prevention activities effective and tangible for the public.”