The Toronto Police have announced they will not reinstate the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, despite the passing of Bill 33 by the Ford government, which would allow their return. This decision follows a rally at Queen's Park that protested against police presence in schools.
Bill 33, officially referred to as the Supporting Children and Students Act, aims to amend the Education Act by requiring school boards to collaborate with local police services. This collaboration would permit police access to school premises, participation in school programs, and the implementation of SRO programs. The bill is expected to pass in the fall.
The organization Policing-Free Schools, which organized the Queen's Park rally, argues that the return of police to schools could be detrimental, particularly to marginalized groups. Andrea Vásquez Jiménez, Director and Principal Consultant with Policing-Free Schools, emphasized that this change would disproportionately harm students from Black African diasporic, Indigenous, and racialized communities, including those who identify as Two-Spirited, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent, or undocumented.
In 2017, the Toronto District School Board made the decision to discontinue the SRO program after a survey revealed that many students felt intimidated or targeted by the police presence. The Toronto Police have since acknowledged the Board's decision and stated that officers currently engage with schools only when invited for presentations or in response to specific calls for service.
The provincial government has indicated that Education Minister will meet with Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw to discuss how the police can contribute to student safety in local schools.
Opinions among students regarding police presence in schools vary. Raheem White, a Grade 12 student, expressed concerns that bringing police back into schools may lead to increased violence. He highlighted the potential risks of police intervention in conflicts between students, stating that the outcomes could be tragic.
In contrast, Cyrielle Ngeleka from the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario argues for a different approach, advocating for peer-led initiatives to address the needs of students more effectively. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that intervention strategies respond to the voices of the students who require aid the most.
The Toronto Police Association has expressed support for the province's stance, stating that police involvement is essential to divert youth from engaging in violent crimes. They argue that relying on Neighbourhood Community Officers to fulfill the role of SROs, while they are already burdened with other responsibilities, is not a feasible solution.
In light of these developments, Policing-Free Schools plans to hold another rally at Queen's Park before the start of the new school year to continue advocating for their position against police involvement in educational settings.
