Victoria Police Liaison Officers Set to Rejoin Schools This Month

The Victoria Police Department has announced that school liaison officers will return to the Greater Victoria School District in September 2023. Constables Gord Magee and Stacey Fuller will be stationed at various schools, with plans to expand the program further in the coming years. Their roles may encompass classroom visits, informal discussions with students, and presentations on critical topics such as bullying, online safety, and drug awareness.

The reintroduction of police officers follows a significant change in school safety policies. Since 2023, police presence in Victoria schools has only been permitted under specific circumstances. This policy shift was implemented after reports indicated that some students and educators, particularly those from Indigenous and minority backgrounds, felt unsafe with officers present.

In January 2023, Lisa Beare, the Education Minister of British Columbia, took the unprecedented step of dismissing the entire Victoria School Board over disagreements related to the safety plan. Beare emphasized that student safety was at risk, leading to the appointment of a single trustee to manage the district until municipal elections in the fall of 2026. “Our government has given this board multiple opportunities to act, and they have not delivered,” Beare stated at the time.

As liaison officers return to schools, the Greater Victoria School District aims to foster a supportive environment. “We are committed to providing a culturally responsive, safe, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for all students and staff,” said Deb Whitten, the Superintendent of Schools for the district. Strengthening relationships between schools, police, and community resources is a pivotal part of the strategy to enhance student and staff well-being.

The plan to reintegrate officers into schools comes amid ongoing discussions about the role of law enforcement in educational settings. The district’s commitment to an inclusive learning environment reflects a broader trend in school safety policies, focusing on collaboration and communication among students, educators, and community stakeholders.

As the new school year approaches, the Victoria Police Department and the Greater Victoria School District are poised to navigate these changes. The return of liaison officers represents not only a shift in policy but also an opportunity to rebuild trust and foster a sense of security among students and staff.