POLICE GO BACK TO SCHOOL

The school district moved forward Monday night with a plan to put a
police officer in Kamloops schools.

As part of the district's new action plan for drug and alcohol
intervention, the school board approved a protocol outlining the
RCMP's role within the district and enables the funding of one position.

And while the protocol was approved unanimously, there were still some
concerns.

"I'm worried we'll be paying the RCMP to arrest the students who most
need help," said trustee Gerald Watson.

"Detection and enforcement is only one aspect of the position," said
Superintendent Terry Sullivan.

The district already has its own process and policy in place to deal
with misbehaving students.

"But where we have been particularly ineffective is with students who
persist in selling drugs, off school days and off school grounds,"
Sullivan said.

The RCMP member will be dedicated to the policing needs of the school
district, but policing all 51 schools is an "impossible task," he said.

The position will support the action plan for drug and alcohol
intervention, assist in the school liaison program and facilitate
communication between the district, individual schools and the RCMP.

They will also assist in the development and implementation of school
safety programs such as anti-bullying, anti-violence, risk
assessments, restorative justice and emergency planning.

Funding for the position, which includes salary and benefits, is
$106,000 and will be paid from "Communities at Risk" funds.