TORONTO POLICE SERVICE REINSTATES PROGRAM THAT PUTS OFFICER BACK INTO HIGH
SCHOOLS

He's been working for 27 years with the Toronto Police Service, but this
fall PC Kevin McAleer went back to school the same time as his teenage
children.

McAleer doesn't attend one high school; he goes to 10 different schools in
a week.

Having been reassigned to the high school beat, after being away for a
year, McAleer couldn't be happier.

"I love kids," he said. "You have to in this job."

He calls himself the "high profile, proactive person" -- the guy that kids
know to turn to when things aren't quite right.

"It's really important to have a face, one person the kids know they can
call," he said. "And they do."

Superintendent Jane Dick said she heard loud and clear from the community
that having McAleer in the schools was essential.

"It was a priority in this community," said Dick, who has been in
consultation with the principals at the 10 high schools that 22 Division
services.

Dick made the decision to take McAleer out of the schools last year, but
now realizes the importance of that presence in the schools.

"They missed Kevin in uniform presence," said Dick. She heard firsthand
from students that having McAleer helped keep kids on the right track.

"We had students come forward and mention what a change it made for them,"
she said.

Moreover, McAleer who is also a community member of 22 Division was still
doing a lot of the duties of his previous role.

"People would come and knock on his door," Dick said. "He was still there
for the community, even if it wasn't his duties."

It's to be expected in his line of work, especially after being in the
position for nine years.

"I've seen three generations of principals and teachers," he said. "We're
really fortunate in Etobicoke. Ninety-nine per cent of the kids and
teachers are there for one reason -- to get an education."

His work in the high schools is multi-pronged. He works directly with
principals and teachers, but also runs programs with the students.

The drug education he does at the schools tells him that some kids are
confused about the drug laws. "They have to know that yes, marijuana is
still illegal," McAleer said. "It seems to be the root of a lot of evils."

He helps run a student Crime Stopper program at all 10 sites, which has
been well received and well used by the students.

"Students call Crime Stoppers all the time," he said. "When stuff happens,
it happens."

He gave the example of a stolen car, which can be seized on school property
while it is parked. "The Crime Stoppers program has stopped a lot of
pursuits," he said.

He's thrilled to see some changes on the forefront at many of the schools.

The gangster-style clothing is quickly fading out of style in the schools
this year. McAleer credited the principals for their work in getting that
style of clothing out of the schools.

"We're seeing very few bandanas this year," McAleer said. "And the pants
are coming up around their hips ... almost. The principals have worked
diligently. It's appeasing to parents."

While the principals and teachers work in conjunction with McAleer, so do
the students.

"They have been excellent," he said. "Kids call me on my cell phone. I go
wherever the problem is."

But mostly having McAleer in the schools is proactive, not reactive. "I'm
not here to throw kids in jail," he said. "I just want them to get an
education."