School Resource Officers also build relationships with staff, parents and administrators by being in the same schools regularly. These relationships allow officers to be a resource to the adults in schools when advice or help is needed.

In 2019, School Resource Officers worked with teachers to co-facilitate over 1,500 presentations to students on everything from drug safety to online security and crime prevention. Officers also ran over 714 school lockdown drills to help ensure staff, substitute teachers and students know how to safely respond to threats in and near their school.

However, there has been a lack of evaluation data on the effectiveness of the program in achieving positive outcomes for all students. A comprehensive independent review of the program is needed to evaluate the program and apply an anti-racism equity lens, incorporating data collected from school boards, teachers, and students, among others.

We are entering phase two of an independent review of the School Resource Officer Program. We know that many cities and police services with similar programs are making decisions related to their future, and we want to make sure that our approach is best suited for our community.

Phase one of the public consultation, which is now complete, resulted in 1,400 responses to an independent survey from students, parents, teachers, administrators and CPS officers. These responses are being used to identify key themes that will guide further consultation.

Phase two is moving forward with additional engagement through virtual events.

An online engagement portal has been developed to target feedback from students and young people who are currently attending, or may have recently attended, a school from the following:

• Calgary Board of Education
• Calgary Catholic School District
• Palliser School District
• FrancoSud School Board

This portal, which can be accessed here will remain open until Monday, May 17, 2021.

Virtual sessions are also being held. Registration is required for these events:

• Parents and Guardians – Wednesday, April 28, 2021, 6 p.m. Register here
• Teachers and school staff – Thursday, April 29, 2021, 4 p.m. Register here

Written submissions with feedback about the School Resource Officer program can be sent directly to the independent consultant firm, Argyle PR, at cpsengage@argylepr.com.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions for the team working on the School Resource Officer program review, we want to hear from you.