Update - Police Involvement in Schools Policy and Practice Review

Update - Police Involvement in Schools Policy and Practice Review
Posted on 06/17/2021
Update - Police Involvement in Schools Policy and Practice Review

On Monday, June 14, in a Special Committee of the Whole meeting, OCDSB trustees approved a motion calling for the immediate end of the OCDSB partnership with Ottawa Police Services through the School Resource Officer program. The full text of this motion is below.

This motion will go to the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, June 22, starting at 7:00 p.m. for final approval.

Members of the public can watch this meeting via YouTube.

If you wish to make a delegation at this meeting, you can learn more here.

Policy and Practice Review 

The motion came in response to a report from the OCDSB Office of the Human Rights and Equity Advisor (HREA), which reflects on the input gathered through consultation with students, parents, staff and community members on police involvement in schools.

You can read the full report.

The review of OCDSB practices of involving police in schools, began in November of 2020 with the formal consultation activities spanning four months. The consultation included both public and private discussions as well as written feedback submissions and anonymous surveys.

The HREA’s report issues guidance and recommended considerations for decisions and direction with respect to future OCDSB practices when involving Ottawa Police Services. This guidance will be reflected upon to draft the revised policy document for presentation to the board of trustees in fall 2021.

Contact: [email protected] 

Motion to be presented to the Board of Trustees Board Meeting on June 22, 2021.

  1. THAT the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board immediately and completely end it’s engagement with the School Resource Officer program;
  2. THAT the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) provides notice to Ottawa Police Service that as of 1 September 2021, the OCDSB shall only meet its minimum statutory obligations under the relevant provincial protocols and acts until further evaluation is complete;
  3. THAT the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) issue a formal apology, published on the OCDSB website, social media, and in the local papers, to the communities and students who have been harmed by the School Resource Officer program; and
  4. THAT the Chair of the Board write a public letter to the City of Ottawa containing the following elements:
    1. A direct ask of the strongest language, not asking the city to consider;
    2. Asking the City of Ottawa to reallocate the funds previously assigned to the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board share of the School Resource Officer program into the formation of a mobile crisis team for youth;
    3. This team could operate 24/7, but should be available for schools to call upon in need as a non-police alternative to behaviours which may require it;
    4. This team should consist of people with a counselling, social work, and/or reconciliation background; and
    5. This team must not contain any police officers or be funded, administered, or operated through OPS; and
    6. While the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has approximately 65% of the students in the Ottawa area, we recognize that fewer people in the School Resource Officer role might require those remaining to cover larger areas, so we are requesting only 50% of the total previously allocated be diverted to this new team, or 1.6 million dollars.
  5. THAT the Board adopt a do no harm approach as a guiding principle  when an incident or a series of incidents arise that involve harm, especially related to anti-racism, human rights, equity, and inclusion. 
  6. THAT the Board of Trustees reaffirm its commitment to incorporating an intersectional and anti-racism analysis lens as new policies are adopted and existing policies are updated.
  7. THAT the Board of Trustees commit to undertake anti-racism and decolonization training with support from Board Services.

 

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