Peel police suspend program that puts uniformed officers in schools

Peel policesay they have decided to "pause"a program that puts uniformed officers in schools to give the servicetime to consult the community about the practice.

Const. Akhil Mooken, spokesperson for Peel Regional Police, said the pause in the School Resource Officer program is effective immediately and it is expected that the program will notresume this September if schools reopen.

"It's really a re-evaluation of the program to see what we need to change and how we need to change it," Mooken told CBC Toronto on Tuesday.

"We're pausing the program so that we can completely look at it, have those consultationsand determine what our next steps forward are."

In a news release on Tuesday, police saidthey will lead aconsultation processbeginning this summer and a report is expected in this winter. The program involves putting uniformed police officers inschools in Peel region.

Both the Peel District School Board (PDSB) and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) saythey support the decision.

Nishan Duraiappah, the Peel Regional police chief, saidthe servicelaunchedthe program more than 20 years ago to buildrelationships with students, administrators and staff and to respond to complaints that happened on school property, but he acknowledged that the needs of schoolshavechanged.

"The needs of the community and school environments have changed and advanced to a level where the service delivery requires a vital review of the program and a complete overhaul of the system that oversees the SRO program," Duraiappah said in the release.

Oneuniformed officer was assigned to each high school in Brampton and Mississauga, while one officer was assigned to severalelementary and middle schools. According to a 2018 independent university study, the program cost $9 million a year.

Police said they will consult with as many groups of people as possible, including the school boards themselves, the Black Community Action Network andMoyoCommunity Health Services, as well as students, families, academics and advocates.

The consultation process will "collectively determine the next steps" for the program, the chief said.

"We recognize that the consultative process needs the allocation of the requisite time and resources to ensure an equitable and trustworthy method," Duraiappahsaid.

Some students don't feel safe, 1 board says

The PDSBsaidin the release that the pausing of the program is needed to ensure students feel safe at school and the boardhas been told that the consultationwill be extensive.

"We have been assured that Peel Regional Police will engage in a consultation process with stakeholders, including Peel District School Board staff and the diverse communities we serve, in particular members of the Black, African and Caribbean communities," Jaspal Gill, interim director of education for the PDSB, said.

"We have heard from members of our school communities, in particular those who identify as Black and Indigenous, that they do not feel safe when SRO's and other police officers are present in Peel schools. PRP's action to pause the SRO program is necessary."

Bruce Rodrigues, supervisor for the PDSB, said the board will do its own consultation with students, staff, families and the diverse communities it serves, in particular Black, African and Caribbean communities, once the police developa "model for youth engagement."

"If we determine that the new model does not meet the needs of the students and families we serve, we will not move ahead," Rodrigues said.

"We are committed to listening to and working alongside the communities we serve to eliminate anti-Black racism and discriminatory practices in Peel schools and work sites."

'All voices' will have their say, Catholicboard says

The DPCDSBsaid it also supports a review of the program because of the focus on community consultation.

Marianne Mazzorato, director of education for the DPCDSB, said:"We have been assured that authentic stakeholder consultation will be a key component of this review and we are pleased that all voices will have the opportunity to provide feedback.

"Our hope is that the program can truly support our goal to provide safe, caring and inclusive schools that uphold the dignity and respect of all students and staff."

Marc Andrews, Peel police's deputy chief of community policing operations, said the police will keep the public informed about the consultation process.

"Peel police acknowledges the need for systemic change to support our essential mandate of keeping our communities safe," he said.

In November 2017, the Toronto District School Board, which is the largest school board in Canada, voted to cancel its School Resource Officer program, a decision that was applauded by community groups.

That decision followed a board staff reportthat recommended the program be eliminated becauseit caused some students to feeluncomfortable and even intimidated.