Chiefs Take Aim at Bullying and Violence in Our Schools

Each year the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) awards certificates of merit and $3,600 worth of cash prizes to eighteen different Oklahoma eighth grade students. The essay contest ”Why I Should Say No to Bullying and Violence” is open to all eighth grade students in the State of Oklahoma.

Prizes are awarded in each of the six regions to the winners as follows:

First Place receives $300
Second Place receives $200
Third Place receives $100

All winners receive an award certificate in addition to the cash prize which are awarded to the students by their local chief at their school’s annual awards assembly. The first place winning essays are published in the Oklahoma “Chief to Chief” magazine.

In their essays, students are asked to develop creative solutions to problems such as bullying and violence in their schools. What do they think causes the problem? What can be done to solve the problem? What role can students, parents and/or school personnel play in the solution? The OACP receives hundreds of essays and they are each read and thoughtfully judged by a panel of police chiefs.

It is our hope that the essay contest will lead to open and frank discussions of the problems that impact our kids. These discussions are taking place both in the schools and in the homes of the students, and the solutions that the students design are serious, thoughtful, provocative and, in some cases humorous. Our judges delight in the opportunity to read the essays because they provide insight into the perceptions of our next generation of citizens and peace officers.

Entries must be received in the OACP office no later than February 15th of each calendar year to be entered in the essay contest. For further information please contact Tammy Ross at tammy@okla-chiefs.org or toll free 888-528-6227.