Ottawa’s largest school board starts consultations on police in schools

By Jason White

Posted Mar 25, 2021 12:48:00 AM.

The capital's English public school board is gathering input on the future of its police in schools program — and now it's the students' chance to be heard.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board began reviewing the future of its Police Involvement in Schools Policy, which places dedicated police officers at Gloucester and Ridgemont high schools, after a trustee's efforts to defund the program.

Trustee Lyra Evans urged her fellow members to vote in favour of defunding, arguing that the presence of police officers causes stress for many students, particularly for students who are Black or Indigenous.

The board's review opens virtual consultation meetings to students at the two urban high schools on Thursday afternoon. Group discussions will be held by video conference over Google Meet.

More consultations, for both parents and students, are scheduled over the next two and a half weeks.

Details on the times of the consultations, and details on how to participate, are on the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's website.

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