After two years of not allowing non-essential visitors into schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board is welcoming Community Resource Officers from the Windsor Police Service back into its buildings.

“These officers are positive role models for our students and they offer a wonderful variety of programs that reinforce the values we instill in our students every day,” said Director of Education Emelda Byrne. “We have certainly missed having them in our schools and now that most pandemic restrictions have been lifted, our students and staff are excited to have them back.”

Acting Chief Jason Bellaire said the Windsor Police Service is pleased to continue its collaboration with the Catholic school board.

“We value our relationships with the amazing students and staff members that populate our schools,” he said “and we will continue to invest our resources to strengthen partnerships and enhance community safety.”

Community Resource Officers visit secondary schools several times a week, and besides building relationships with students and acting as a resource to assist school staff, they deliver a variety of educational programs that cover a wide range of topics including racism and diversity, substance abuse, and human trafficking. In elementary schools, officers will continue to deliver the very successful Values, Influences and Peers (VIP) program, which educates Grade 6 students about positive lifestyle choices.

“We’ve had some very constructive discussions with our colleagues at the Windsor Police Service and they are eager to get back into our schools,” said WECDSB Safe Schools Superintendent Rosemary LoFaso. “The Community Resource Officers are in the process of connecting with our school Principals, getting reacquainted with them, and scheduling dates for visits and program delivery.”
Check out this great video we created about Community Resource Officers in our schools.