SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM May 29, 2018
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM (SRO) ISSP Elementary Jr. High Sr. High Integrated School Support Team Offered in 4 Calgary schools with dedicated elementary SRO & Multi Agency School Support Team (MASST) 12 dedicated officers Available to all CBE & CSSD schools totaling 275 schools Currently active in 83% of CBE and CSSD schools (increased from 74%) 8 dedicated officers 113 schools in CBE and CSSD school districts. 17 dedicated officers covering 35 of CBE & CSSD high schools Providing additional support to 3 Francophone high schools and 4 Islamic Schools
SRO PROGRAM: PAST TO PRESENT 1974 1976-1981 2011 2013-2018 SRO Program pilot approved for 1 officer in St. Mary s High School. Later to be joined by 1 officer in Lord Beaverbrook Evaluation done with positive results. Program expanded to 12 Officers and 1 Sgt. by 1981 21 Officers in Sr & Jr. High & 2 Sgt s Development of the Start Smart Stay Safe program began with Alberta Government funding. Added 13 officers to support Elementary Schools 38 Officers, 4 Sgt. s & 1 S/Sgt. Providing support to Francophone Schools, Palliser & Islamic Schools Calgary Population: 433,389 Calgary Population: 591,857 Calgary Population: 1,090,936 Calgary Population: 1,246,337
SRO: UNDERSTANDING THE NUMBERS Police to Population Ratio for Calgary** 1:628 Police to Population Ratio for Calgary Schools (CBE & CSSD only) * Students defined as Youth enrolled in K-12 Programming with the CBE & CSSD. 1:4465
SRO RESEARCH FROM CARLETON UNIVERSITY KEY FINDINGS Students report being less fearful. Learning outcomes improved. Mental health improved. Students miss less school. Fewer incidents of crime and bullying. School staff spend less time on discipline, property damage. Students can avoid courts and criminal records when appropriate. Help from social services and health-care systems more likely. Less pressure on the police force front lines. Officers acquire skills on engaging with the community they serve.
CHIEF S FOCUS Priorities Call response SRO PROGRAM RESPONSE Reduction in calls for service, adding to front line support over summer and Stampede coverage. Developing alternative solutions to negate staffing shortages. Increased investigative support. Accountability Training and Development Clearly laid out SOP for officers, comply with CPS policies regarding regular audits, PEAKS assessments and adherence to tenure plan. SRO 100 & Lockdown/External Threat Training, RIT training for SRO s.
SRO PROGRAM CURRENT INITIATIVES CYSS COLLABORATIONS PARTNERSHIPS SRO Program is continuing to work with other programs throughout CYSS including MASST, YARD and Gateway. SRO partnering with Diversity for help with Islamic Schools CBE & CSSD DTAT Provincial RCSD BSU engagement SRO s are expected to collaborate with a variety of Social agencies, Not-forprofits, culturally diverse communities etc.
SRO PROGRAM CURRENT INITIATIVES Development of internal & external training opportunities including: SRO100, Lockdown-External Threat training, Crowd Management, etc. TRAINING Rapid Intervention Training including non-traditional, 1 & 2 person contact teams by SRO s Front line & RTOC engagement and coaching Development Jr. High Drug education program
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION CALGARY BOARD OF EDUCATION CALGARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT The Calgary Board of Education honoured the School Resource Officer program with the Lighthouse Award on February 6 th, 2018. This was the second time the unit has received this prestigious award. The award was first received in 2012. On December 12 th, 2017, Cst. Ron Kubicek with School Resource Officer Program with the Integrated School Support Program (ISSP) was honoured with the Shepard Leadership Award for his tireless commitment to ISSP and the youth it serves.
CALGARY vs TORONTO SRO PROGRAM On November 22, 2017, The Toronto District School Board voted to discontinue the School Resource Officer Program in their schools based upon internal report that stated some students felt uncomfortable and intimidated (approx. 10% of respondents) Inception Deployment Program functions Calgary Police School Resource Unit Started in 1974, as a community policing initiative. 38 Officers between Sr. High, Jr. High & Elementary Schools (17, 8 &13) In both, Public and Catholic School Boards and all schools within those boards have a access to an SRO. Centralized management and training structure. SRO s are active members of the school community. Not only providing safety and security but mentorship, intervention and educational supports to their students. Toronto Police School Resource Unit Was created in response to the 2007 Homicide of Jordan Manners at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate School. Program was launched in 2008. 35 Officers deployed to 45 Toronto District High Schools out of a total of 102 High schools. Schools were selected based on need as to those that would get SRO access or a dedicated SRO. Managed out of the individual divisions (or districts). Although similar to Calgary SRO program on paper, in actuality the SRO s were very much security and enforcement focused. Toronto's SRO program is still active in 21 Toronto Catholic District Schools (TCDSB) out of 28 total schools.
CHALLENGES MOVING FORWARD Dynamics of the work Increased complexity with the youth SRO s are working with. SRO s are increasingly engaging with while families on issues not just the youth attending schools Increased mental health issues in youth. Social media and staying connected changing the role of SRO s as school never really ends and issues follow youth home at the end of the day and vice versa. CBE & CSSD 2 new Calgary high schools (in CBE & CSSD) in the Legacy and Seton for 2018-2019 School year 10 new schools being projected for CBE by 2022 CSSD s additional 4 schools currently under construction opening in the coming years. CBE new changing focus on adult education (changing school population/chinook learning). New School Boards Increasing comparable support that is offered to CBE & CSSD Schools to the 100% publically funded schools ( includes all Francophone, Charter and Faith Based schools) adds: 29 new schools 13,782 Students. 70% publically funded schools (Private Schools) adds 56 schools with 10,008 students Totaling 85 Schools & 23,790 students.