​Kincardine Police Services Board emphasizes importance of school resource officer

The Kincardine Police Services Board is championing the continued support of the school resource officer who works with students and staff in the local elementary schools and secondary school.

That’s the word from Stellina Williams, provincial representative on the board, who gave a presentation to Kincardine council at its meeting, Wednesday night (Jan. 10).

Williams said the school resource officer is a dedicated position that acts as a single point of contact between the schools and police officers, connecting with students, teachers, administrators, truancy officers, student success teachers, mental health social workers, psychologists, in-school nurses, and guidance counsellors.

The officer promotes a proactive, collaborative approach among police, students, parents, teachers, principals, school board administration and community organizations, through relationship-building, visibility, investigative excellence, education and awareness, and enforcement, and establishes trust and positive relationships between uniform officers and children, starting at a young age.

From 2007-19, the position was partially funded through the Safer Communities Grant – 1,000 Officers Partnership Program, with the remainder funded by the municipal tax base, said Williams.

Now, it is funded through the Community Safety and Policing Grant – Local Priorities which provides $32,788.55 each funding year, with the municipality providing an additional $77,007.45. The current funding cycle ends March 31, 2025, with an option for a three-year extension. It is expected the grant will continue.

“The school resource officer provides service to more than 2,600 students who are attending school in Kincardine, or will likely be attending school in Kincardine, for Grades 9-12,” said Williams. “The schools served include St. Anthony’s, Ecole Elgin Market, Kincardine District Senior, Huron Heights, Kincardine Township-Tiverton, Ripley-Huron Community and Lucknow Central.”

Williams outlined the importance of the officer who is proactive, responsive, collaborative, a champion for students, and a trusted resource.

“She makes students safer by providing resources and leading presentations to children in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12,” said Williams. “Issues include use of 911, school bus safety, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, personal safety including sexual integrity and intimate relationships, dangers associated with the Internet and social media including grooming for illegal activities such as trafficking, and drug, alcohol and tobacco use."

In 2023, the officer responded to 419 calls for service in the schools - almost double the calls in 2022. Calls for service are recorded anytime the officer is called to provide support in the schools, including traffic monitoring, attending events, and responding to issues related to mental health, assaults, threats, and trouble with youth.

“The school resource officer is a champion for students,” said Williams. “She submits applications to the OPP Youth Foundation, and finds opportunities to support youth with funding for various things that they cannot afford (attending camp, clothing, basic personal hygiene items, computers for educational support, etc). Since 2018, the officer has supported more than 30 students with funding, totalling more than $11,000 worth of support.”

The school resource officer participates in school activities in order to establish a friendly, trusting relationship with students.

Williams said that approximately 85 per cent of calls for service are for Kincardine schools, with less than 15 per cent of time spent in Huron-Kinloss schools. Last year, the calls for service were nearly double the number in 2022.

“Increased calls for service are a result of the increased awareness and use of the officer as a school resource by administrators,” said Williams.

“The school resource officer matters because students matter,” she said. “We are grateful for the municipality’s continued support of this officer.”

Councillor Rory Cavanagh, who sits on the police services board, asked the current school resource officer, Ceilidh Jackson, if she wanted to share any of her experiences.

“It’s an important job,” said Jackson. “I connect with the kids at the schools. I continuously see them and interact with them.”

“Does Kincardine have a mental health wellness officer?” asked mayor Kenneth Craig.

“We have access to a Mobile Response Crisis Nurse who provides support to the school and families,” said Jackson.

“So, we have an opportunity to access more specialized services,” said Craig.

The board’s other top priorities for 2024, are to replace the OPP bicycles with pedal-assist bicycles; assist with traffic control initiatives (speeding, noisy modified vehicles); and host outreach events for youth.