Edmonton Schools Expand Police Program, See Early Positive Feedback

The Edmonton Public Schools division is expanding its school resource officer program, adding police presence to seven more schools this month. This initiative follows a recent review of the program, which partners with the Edmonton Police Service, and aims to enhance safety and support within educational environments.

As of now, a total of 14 schools have a dedicated school resource officer, while an additional six have part-time officers. The program has also extended to several junior high schools, although the division has decided against introducing police officers into elementary schools at this time. The board received strong positive feedback regarding the program’s reintroduction during a recent meeting.

At the meeting, board chairman Saadiq Sumar highlighted the positive outcomes observed so far. “We are seeing positive results,” he stated, referring to the initial evaluation of the program. According to Sumar, there is increased awareness of the role of school resource officers, and school leadership has expressed optimism about the program’s trajectory.

Participants at the meeting voiced their support for the program’s return. Sean Wright, a father and graduate of Jasper Place Composite High School, reflected on his experiences, stating, “I always saw the benefit of the program when I was a student.” As a parent of children in high school now, he noted the discernible difference between schools with resource officers and those without.

The first phase of the program’s evaluation took place over three months after officers returned to schools. This evaluation primarily focused on whether schools were prepared to reintegrate police presence. A second phase is planned to assess the program’s impacts on students and staff.

The program’s history dates back to 1979 but was suspended for about five years due to concerns over its effects on marginalized communities, particularly Black, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQ+ students. The program was paused on June 23, 2020, when the school board requested an independent review. This led to the cancellation of the program in September of the same year. Critics had raised alarms about the potential for creating a school-to-prison pipeline that disproportionately affects racialized children.

The division’s findings were outlined in the Wortley Study, a comprehensive analysis of the impact of police presence in schools, revealing a lack of data tracking police action outcomes. The study recommended the collection of data related to race and police interactions alongside growing concerns over safety in schools.

In the wake of violence, including the tragic death of Karanveer Sahota in April 2022, there has been increasing pressure to address safety concerns. Sahota was fatally injured after being attacked shortly after leaving school, highlighting the urgent need for effective safety measures.

In April 2024, the school board voted to reinstate police officers in schools. Following this decision, the division established a memorandum of understanding with the Edmonton Police Service, setting forth guidelines for collaboration and outlining the necessary training for officers.

Sumar emphasized that the current program differs significantly from its predecessor. He explained that new wraparound supports, including mental health resources, are now integrated into the program. “The whole program looks different than it did in the previous iteration,” Sumar noted, suggesting that comparisons between the two are not straightforward.

Professor Alexandre Da Costa from the University of Alberta highlighted concerns about the perceived link between policing and safety. He pointed out that while the belief in policing as a safety measure has persisted, evidence regarding its effectiveness remains limited, especially regarding marginalized students.

The evaluation’s first phase did not specifically address the impacts on marginalized students, but the second phase is expected to include this vital information. Glynnis Lieb, executive director of the Fyrefly Institute for Sexual and Gender Diversity, expressed cautious optimism about the program. She called for a continued emphasis on community building, warning against the potential for the police presence to create an impression of danger within schools.

Lieb remarked, “I did not want to see a weaponizing of police, to basically give the impression that schools are dangerous.” As the program moves forward, stakeholders hope to balance safety needs with the critical focus on nurturing an inclusive and supportive educational environment.

For ongoing updates and insights, readers are encouraged to follow developments from the Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Sun.