PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OKS POLICE DOG LOCKER SEARCHES

The Grande Prairie Public School District is taking a proactive
approach to sniffing out potential problems in its junior and senior
high schools.

A new policy approved in principle by the board Tuesday will allow the
RCMP's service dog to assist in keeping school facilities drug-free.

Taking its cue from the St. Albert School District that recently
adopted a similar policy, RCMP locker searches could begin as early as
September in city schools.

"This is certainly not in response to any increase in problems we
have," said board chairman Clyde Blackburn following Tuesday's regular
meeting. "We recognize we have more tools than in the past and we're
also dealing with more challenges in schools."

The board will still be discussing the idea further with school
councils, but Supt. Lorne Radbourne says the principals have already
been consulted and have thrown full support behind the initiative.

"We've seen this happen elsewhere and have talked about using the
police dog to search school lockers. We've drafted the policy with the
intent to take it back to the RCMP to see if it meets their needs," he
said.

"We'd like to begin in the fall. Part of our whole process with this
policy is to ensure the students understand. We'd still like to share
this with school council chairs to get their thoughts. We'll bring the
policy back in August for approval if we have that support."

Under the guidelines of the new policy, students will be informed of
the procedure at the beginning of every school year and will sign
forms to indicate they understand the policy. Principals can access
the entire school facility - including lockers - and will have the
flexibility to conscript the RCMP dog's services as they see fit. Any
evidence gathered as a result of a search can be used either by the
school administration for disciplining or by the RCMP for criminal
charges.

"It's an unfortunate reality we're facing but in the long run, I think
students and parents will thank us for this," said trustee Doreen Lakusta.

The policy will mainly affect only the junior and senior high
students.

"We view this as a tool. It fits," Radbourne said.

"This is a societal problem, not a school problem. It will take a few
months to work through but we can definitely see certain benefits."