Advocating for Police-Free Schools in Iowa Toolkit

It's become more and more common for schools to bring in police officers, usually armed, to patrol and interact with students. The stated goal is often to keep students safe, but there is no conclusive evidence that full-time police presence in schools increases student safety or prevents mass shootings. Instead, expert research shows that police in schools create real harm for many students, especially students of color and students with disabilities.

This toolkit is designed for youth, parents and caregivers, educators, and other community members across Iowa who want schools without police and are wondering how to make that happen.

Policing in Iowa Schools at a Glance