This fall, as police officers make a comeback in Greater Victoria School District 61, high school principal Heather Brown is one of the supporters of their return. Two years back, the School Police Liaison Officer (SPLO) program was terminated by her school board in Saanich, B.C. Despite having access to police in emergencies, Brown felt a loss of a valuable connection she had with the SPLOs. She highlighted the significant role SPLOs played in advising and guiding students involved in gang-related activities, a prevalent issue in her area. Brown emphasized that with the support of SPLOs, along with family and community assistance, they successfully steered several teens away from such situations. However, in the absence of SPLOs, Brown mentioned that seeking police assistance meant working with individuals who lacked the same level of relationship with her and the youth.
Several Canadian communities began phasing out programs that stationed police officers in schools less than ten years ago. This decision was often prompted by reports indicating that some students felt uncomfortable or intimidated due to these programs. In some cases, funding or resource constraints led to the discontinuation of such programs. However, with recent reports of escalating violence in schools, there is a resurgence of these programs or contemplation of their reinstatement, eliciting mixed reactions.
Chief Constable Dean Duthie of the Saanich Police Department emphasized the importance of building relationships as officers return to schools. Whether through participation in sports events, safety presentations, or casual discussions, the main objective is to establish trust with students.
Gregor Craigie speaks with Saanich PD Chief Dean Duthie about adding 25 more schools to his officers’ workload.
Chief Constable Duthie emphasized that these programs provide an opportunity for police officers to establish better connections with students and vice versa, acknowledging the existing fear and anxiety some individuals have towards the police or their uniforms.
Critics Challenge ‘Relationship-Building’
Michelle Robinson, a parent in Calgary, raised doubts about the depth of these connections. She questioned the effectiveness of having one officer responsible for multiple schools and suggested that genuine relationship-building was lacking. Robinson, a member of the Yellowknife Dene First Nation, expressed concerns about the atmosphere of fear, mistrust, and surveillance that prevailed when officers were present at her daughter’s high school.
