‘I’m concerned about the return’ of Vancouver’s school liaison officer program: Community member

A Vancouver community member says she is concerned the school board’s school liaison officer program is returning for a second year while there are other options to help keep students safe.

Former Chair of the African Descent Advisory Committee Sadie Kuehn says there was clear evidence of problems in the past for young women, people of colour, Indigenous, and Black people with having police on campus.

“I’m concerned about the return,” she said. “No real action has been taken about putting in place some clear parameters and guidelines and accountability for officers in their dealings with young people.”

“It violates the school act, even because these are not teachers and trained professionals, as such, that deal with young people ongoingly.”

Kuehn says other options to keep children safe in schools are “community police centres similar to what exists in Europe.”

“Attending to any matters in any of our schools can be addressed by a phone call to the community police centres in the city close to the schools,” she said.

The community member says the problems she foresees with this program are misuse and abuse of authority and responsibilities “again.” She says if there isn’t a clear standard and a clear protocol for officers to follow, there will be an increase in the likelihood of “abuse and misuse and reporting processes.”

In an email statement, the VSB said as they enter the second year of the revised SLO program the feedback of the program has been positive, “highlighting its significant contribution to enhancing school safety and fostering positive relationships within the school community.”

“The program’s emphasis on proactive and preventative measures, early intervention, and victim support has been particularly well-received,” the board said.

The SLO program is set to start this school year after the VSB greenlit implementation in November of last year.

In a media availability announcing the updated program on last week, Supt. Helen McGregor said schools must remain safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for students, families, and staff.

“The reimagined SLO program will provide proactive and preventative measures to further the safety in VSB schools. SLOs will be available to any student or family member for support and guidance,” she said. “They may also work with school teams, school clubs and support staff, and school activities and events.”

Since that time, the board says its staff and the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) have developed what it’s calling a “reimagined program that considers what was heard in the 2021 SLO engagement report and further input by community members, staff, and students.”

-With files from Angelyna Mintz, Hana Mae Nassar, and James Paracy.