Vancouver School Board trustees want changes to police officer program
Posted March 2, 2023 12:02 pm.
Last Updated March 2, 2023 12:03 pm.
Some Vancouver School Board trustees say that if police officers are to come back into schools in the next year, there need to be some changes.
The board voted to end its School Liaison Officer (SLO) program in 2021, with those in favour of axing it saying the police presence in schools had a negative impact on Indigenous, Black, and other students of colour.
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However, after the city’s October election, the ABC Vancouver party trustees – which hold a majority on the board – voted to bring the program back.
Trustee Lois Chan-Pedley says the Green Party wants to make sure that the program works for “all students, not just some students of the district.”
She recognizes that many families appreciate the program, but they can’t ignore the concerns of others in the district.
One of the changes she’s asking for is that officers don’t wear uniforms or carry guns while at school.
“The sight of uniforms and guns is a very triggering experience for a lot of students. And seeing that in the place of learning negatively impacts their educational experience,” she explained.
However, a former Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officer who now works in gang prevention says carrying weapons is necessary.
“If something happens at the school, something bad, policemen aren’t going to go there unarmed,” Doug Spencer explained. “If they’re on duty, they need a firearm. But, I could understand if they want them working plainclothes.”
An ABC party trustee says they’re now looking into that option. Preeti Faridkot says an engagement report from March 2021 shows most respondents strongly support the program.
“The responses from the people to keep the program is much more higher than the program being eliminated itself,” Faridkot says. “I wouldn’t say completely getting rid of something is benefiting anyone at this moment.”
However, the president of the Vancouver Elementary and Adult Educator Society, Jody Polukoshko, protested against the SLO program. She maintains it should never have been brought back.
“We had a real groundswell, a grassroots movement, of community members, particularly Black and Indigenous community members who were saying – this isn’t safe,” she explained. “It’s not an equitable learning opportunity for everyone when we have uniformed armed police officers in schools.”
In a statement, the VPD says it is working with the school board to redevelop the program.