The London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) has received the latest School Resource Officers (SRO) Program Review update, including the Readiness Criteria for School Boards and Police Services.
The review recommends coordinating with local police services to pilot a new approach of police in schools for non-emergency situations The LDCSB will share more information how the recommendations will impact our secondary schools in early 2024.
Background Information
The School Resource Officers (SRO) Program Review was led by leadership representatives from the LDCSB, the public school board, local police services (Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford and London), and community leaders from Indigenous, Black and people of colour communities.
The SRO program stopped at all schools in the region during the review, which has so far consisted of three phases:
Phase I: a comprehensive review included feedback from students, parents/caregivers and graduates. Recommendations were made and endorsed by all organizations and community leaders.
Phase II: detailed the recommendations to inform how each school board would proceed with the SRO Program. A Youth Advisory Council provided fundamental feedback on the recommendations.
Phase III: writing a potential program to replace the SRO program. Drafts were presented to Black, Indigenous and Youth of Colour in discussion sessions. Outcome was recommendation for the new program for police in schools in non-emergency situations.