QUESTIONS ARISE CONCERNING RCMP IN SCHOOLS

RCMP officers working in schools could be replaced with less trained
individuals.

An Alberta Teachers' Association publication reported one of the
recommendations released in a special constable review headed by
Calgary-Hays MLA Art Johnston, would be to have Level 1 community
peace officers be able to hold the position of a school resource officer.

These peace officers require a high school diploma and training in
areas of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid and successful
completion of provincial physical abilities test. They would only be
allowed to carry pepper spray.

Solicitor general and public security spokesman Christine Wronko said
this was not the point of the special constable review.

"It is up to the school region to decide on having an officer," said Wronko.

"The whole idea around this review was to make standards surrounding
special constables consistent."

Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools superintendent Terry Pearson said
the position needs a professional officer.

"This is a resource to the students. We need that level of
professionalism. We don't want to go away from a professional
officer," noted Pearson.

"They know what's going on in the community they serve. They work
with the kids and give them the information needed (so students) can
make good decisions."

Pearson said the Wetaskiwin detachment did have a liaison, Const.
Becky Wylie-Jardine, connecting with the schools covered by the
detachment. Now, Const. Lee Greco-Savoy is in the schools.

"If resources is an issue, they need more professionals to fill that void."

Wetaskiwin detachment RCMP Insp. Doug Reti could not comment directly
on the issue, he noted having a professional officer is peace-of-mind
for parents.

"When you send your child to school, someone else is looking after
them for five-and-a-half hours. It gives (parents) a sense of
reassurance to have police in the school. I think it's important to
have that for parents," said Reti when asked about the reasons RCMP
officers are employed in schools throughout the province.

"They're our future, the gems of society and we want to look after them."

Recently, Reti participated in a threat assessment -- something which
RCMP officers are trained in.

"It's a different perspective to acquire and you only get that by
being a police officer," he noted.

"Police officers can assess risk based on their experience and years
of training."

The school is not separated from what is on the street and a police
officer brings a strong connection from the street to the school.

"School resource officers teach drug awareness, anti-violence and
bullying. They talk about what's on street and the danger.

"We know violence exists, drugs exist and there are people who prey
on vulnerability and that's kids," ended Reti.

"It's good to have police officers who can deal with the situation
appropriately."