Police seek student input for evaluation of School Resource Officer program

The Calgary Police Service is asking Calgary public school students to participate in a review of the School Resource Officer (SRO) program and share their experiences in an online survey.

Supt. Asif Rashid said it's part of a larger evaluation of the program, which is one of many steps Calgary police are taking around anti-racism and dismantling systemic racism.

Rashid said CPS committed to the review in early 2020, stemming from geopolitical events in the United States and Canada.

"It's recognized that youth from racialized or other marginalized communities might be receiving inequitable services not only by the school resource officer program, but through health, education, the mental health system and other sectors as well," he said. 
        
"That's why that perception that SROs might contribute to young people perhaps not feeling safe or not receiving the appropriate level of services in the school environment, resulted in the CPS committing to undertake an evaluation of the program."

CBE supports review

In a written statement to CBC News, the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) said the purpose of the engagement is to understand stakeholder's perceptions of the SRO program and understand if it's being delivered in a way that considers equity, inclusion and diversity.

"We do not presently collect data related to the frequency or nature of SRO interactions with students," it said. 

The CBE said it is encouraging CBE students and families to participate in the survey, if they choose.

"We are pleased that the CPS is seeking input from students and families regarding the SRO program," it said. "We await the findings from this engagement and will determine next step after the review."

Calgary police have recruited a third party firm, Argyle, to undertake the evaluation, which began at the end of December and will wrap up at the end of May.

The evaluation includes interviews with stakeholders including school administrators, students, teachers and CPS members participating in the SRO program, as well as an online survey for students.

Program could change or be cancelled

Rashid said the outcome of the evaluation will help determine next steps for the program and if it should be re-imagined, scaled back or dismantled. 

"The overall mission for the evaluation is to determine if positive outcomes are being realised by students at these schools and further, we're hoping that the evaluation will identify gaps in service, specifically with respect to the racialized, diverse and disadvantaged communities," he said. 

Findings from the evaluation will be shared publicly at a police commission meeting.

The SRO program has been running in Calgary public schools for 45 years. There are currently 38 school resource officers that share the responsibility for the city's more than 400 junior and senior high schools.