While some people view school liaison officer programs as a tool to keep kids safe, others question the data behind that assumption — in particular for Black and Indigenous students, as data shows their communities face disproportionate police activity, from street checks to use of force.
After George Floyd was murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2020, school liaison officer programs faced their biggest challenge yet.
The Vancouver School Board cancelled its program, and the New Westminster and Greater Victoria school districts followed suit. The BC Human Rights Commissioner called for a halt to programs until the province provided an independent study of their usefulness.
But the pushback has been strong, leading to the sacking of one school board and SLO programs returning elsewhere.
As the province refuses to study SLO programs, The Tyee is taking its best shot by reviewing the available data, pushing for transparency on existing programs and examining claims about the relationship between “safety” and police presence in schools.
In This Series
What a School Board Sacking Reveals about Police in BC Schools
Feelings about SLO programs are complex. Data about them remains scarce and hard-won.
Police in Schools in BC: An Explainer
Why do some districts have them, and some don’t? What, exactly, do they do? We dig in.
Officer Involved in Myles Gray’s Violent Death Now Works in a High School
Vancouver police won’t say whether Const. Hardeep Sahota is still facing disciplinary actions connected to the 2015 homicide.
Are Schools More Dangerous Without Embedded Police?
The VPD’s own data, obtained by The Tyee, paints a different picture than the force’s official narrative.
Despite Claims, School Liaison Officers Received No Special Training
An FOI request filed by The Tyee reveals the VPD did not offer specific instruction for officers working in schools.
The Vancouver School Board Votes Cops Back into Schools
A divisive motion calling to work with the VPD to create a new School Liaison Officer program has passed.
Vancouver Considers Bringing Back School Liaison Officers
The program was cancelled in 2021, but ABC Vancouver campaigned on reviving it.
Vancouver School Board Ends Police Presence in Schools
But a motion to cancel the program includes more interactions with officers, critics say.
The Deep Divide on Police in Vancouver Schools Continues
The school board heard passionate words for and against the school officer program at two public meetings.
Most Black and Indigenous Students Want Police Out of Schools, Report Finds
Decision on whether to cancel the Vancouver officer liaison program is imminent.
What Vancouver’s School Board and Police Have Promised to Do about Racism
A human rights complaint after a racist video by a student brought pledges of change. Black advocates are waiting to see if they’re real.
The VSB’s Review of Armed Police in Schools Has Not Gone Smoothly
Parents and advocates say the Vancouver School Board is moving too slow and makes it hard to speak at public meetings.
Police to Stay in Vancouver Schools as Review Delayed
Critics say board is moving too slowly to end a program that ‘compromises the safety of Black and Indigenous youth.’
Vancouver School Board Backs Anti-Racism Efforts, Keeps Police in Schools
Trustees approve review of VPD program, call for Black curriculum and provincial database of racist incidents in schools.
Police Watchdog Wants Answers on VPD’s Response to Lord Byng Racist Video
Police complaints commissioner raises questions about explanation for not recommending criminal charges.