National

Police officer program to end in Vancouver schools

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Apr, 2021 04:35 PM

Uniformed police officers will no longer be assigned to Vancouver public schools after trustees voted to end its school liaison officer program.

The program has been under review for almost a year due to concerns that uniformed officers make some students anxious or upset, including many identifying as Black, Indigenous or people of colour.

It’s w/a heavy ❤️ that I think of all the #youth who will no longer have an #SLO or benefit from the countless programs they run. @VancouverPD was hopeful that all #stakeholders could have worked together to find a path forward while preserving the program @VSB39. @VPDYouth https://t.co/7Aq8paFwja
— Fiona Wilson (@FionaWilsonVPD) April 27, 2021

Trustees voted eight to one Monday in favour of a motion to halt the program at the end of June.

The decision is supported by several groups, including the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council and associations representing elementary and secondary school teachers in the city.

The school board will now work with Vancouver police and RCMP to create what the motion defines as a "new relationship" developing "trauma-informed approaches to working with children and youth."

Sgt. Steve Addison says in a statement that Vancouver police were open to an "evolving" relationship that could include roles for plainclothes officers in city schools.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Order limiting entry to Canada now on to July 31

The federal government says it has extended tight rules barring most foreign travellers from entering Canada until the end of July as part of efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Order limiting entry to Canada now on to July 31

Alberta businesswoman named lieutenant-governor, first Muslim in role in Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has named business owner and philanthropist Salma Lakhani as Alberta's new lieutenant-governor. When she formally takes over the role, Lakhani will become Canada's first Muslim lieutenant-governor.

Alberta businesswoman named lieutenant-governor, first Muslim in role in Canada

COVID-19 not changing Canada Day: poll

COVID-19 means the true north is not entirely free this Canada Day, but a new survey suggests that's not going to change how many people mark the holiday.

COVID-19 not changing Canada Day: poll

Economy posts record plunge in April

The full impact of sweeping economic lockdowns meant to slow the spread of COVID-19 came into sharper view, with new figures showing Canada saw the largest monthly drop on record in April as the country came to a near standstill.

Economy posts record plunge in April

Indigenous groups share Canada Day frustrations

Canada Day comes this year as Indigenous Peoples absorb reports of confrontations between the police and Aboriginal people, as well as accusations of systemic racism in British Columbia's health-care system.

Indigenous groups share Canada Day frustrations

Conditions dire for B.C. orchardists: association

The association says a survey of its members shows more than 67 per cent of farmers have reduced fruit production because of uncertainties linked to the pandemic.