The Edmonton Public School board has voted to bring back the School Resource Officer program (SRO) after the absence of the program over the last four years.
EPS currently has 13 SROs working in partnership with the Edmonton Catholic School District in 16 of its schools.
Following the EPSB’s cancellation of the SRO program in 2020, impacted officers were redeployed to other units including the EPS Youth Intervention and Diversion Unit.
Darrell Robertson , Superintendent for Edmonton Public Schools spoke during a lengthy debate.
A majority of parents felt that schools were safer with the officers present, according to a report.
After EPSB terminated the program in 2020, it was replaced with the Youth Enhanced Deployment program, which was also axed.
Many parents, students and community members attended the heated debate with Edmontonians taking the microphone to voice their concerns, both for and against the return of School Resource Officers.
The result was a 5 -3 decision, in favour of bringing back the SRO program. The deciding vote was cast by Julie Kusiek, Chair of the board.
The program will not see officers return to every Edmonton public school.
Principles from each school will need to decide on the schools individual need for an officer.
According to Edmonton Police, EPS School Resource Officers were involved in 369,600 positive interactions with students and community members over the course of the 2022/2023 school year. They conducted 1,788 hours of coaching and engagement activities outside of their normal hours of operation, and conducted 313 presentations to nearly 14,900 students, staff, and parents.
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