The contentious issue of police school liaison officers in the Greater Victoria district will soon be back on the agenda.
The Victoria and Esquimalt police board accepted an invitation this week from the Greater Victoria School Board to meet in the near future.
The school board voted unanimously in June to axe the school-liaison program, after a recommendation from B.C. human rights commissioner Kasari Govender.
In a letter to the B.C. School Trustees Association last fall, Govender said marginalized students, their families and their communities had raised concerns about the presence of police officers in schools.
Victoria Police Chief Del Manak and Saanich Police Chief Dean Duthie expressed disappointment in the school board’s decision, saying police liaison officers have been successful in building positive relationships with students.
Manak said the school board’s decision would negatively affect students and asked the trustees to reconsider, noting a survey with 3,800 respondents two years ago showed people from a wide variety of backgrounds supported the program.
“In the face of this discourse, shouldn’t we collectively be sitting down with students and parents who didn’t support the program, listening to their concerns, and engaging in meaningful dialogue to work towards a solution?” wrote Manak in a letter to the Times Colonist. “Isn’t this a better option rather than promoting exclusion and divisiveness?”
Victoria police haven’t had school-liaison officers since 2018 due to budget problems, but Manak had wanted the program to return. Saanich police had remained active in the program at 25 public and private schools.
Victoria Deputy Chief Colin Watson expressed interest in accepting the school board’s invitation on behalf of Manak.
Police board member Charla Huber said she has often been approached by parents in the Greater Victoria School District who want the opportunity to be heard on the issue. Huber asked if parents could attend the meeting between the school board and police board.
Lead co-chair Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins expressed interest in a public discussion on the issue, but suggested the police and school board meeting should likely happen first.
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