Review of Police Presence and Programs in Schools

In March 2023, Grand Erie conducted a review of police presence and programs offered in our elementary and secondary schools, and we gathered information to inform the review. We conducted surveys with staff and students, and we also published a community survey. The online survey remained open until midnight on April 21, 2023.
 

Purpose

The review reflects the Grand Erie’s commitment to creating safe and inclusive learning environments for all our students and our commitment to bringing an equity lens to all our work. 

The School Resource Officer (SRO) program is included in this review. This program was paused in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Grand Erie chose to extend the pause pending this review to assess how well these programs are achieving their original goals and meeting student needs.
 

The Program Review

An external consultant has been engaged to conduct an objective, evidence-based review of police presence and programs in Grand Erie schools, through a human rights and equity lens. The work of the consultant is guided by a working group of Grand Erie staff. A final report is expected by June, 2023.  

The review process will include consultations with representatives of the various police services in Haldimand, Norfolk, Brant, Six Nations and Brantford, as well as with staff, students, and other relevant groups in the school community. These consultations will include interviews, focus groups, and online surveys.

The program review report will include an analysis of the information gathered from all sources. It will identify the various perspectives within the Grand Erie school community, the critical issues, and an analysis of the impact. Based on this analysis the consultants will make recommendations for whether and how these programs will continue.
 

Who is Conducting the Review

Turner Consulting Group, a consultancy firm specializing in equity, diversity, and inclusion will lead this work.
 

Participation

The survey closed on April 21, 2023. Key to this review was hearing directly from students, staff, and others within the Grand Erie community about their perceptions of, and experiences with, police presence and programs in schools.

We encouraged anyone in the Grand Erie district to share their perceptions and experiences in our online survey and the results have been passed to Turner Consulting Group for assessment and consideration.
 

Questions?

Further information about the review can be found on the FAQ page. The FAQs will be updated as needed. 

Questions/comments about the review should be directed to Wayne Baker, Superintendent of Education (wayne.baker@granderie.ca) or the consultants, Turner Consulting Group (info@turnerconsultinggroup.ca).