As part of the Supporting Children and Students Act, introduced by the Ford government at the end of May, is a provision whereby public school boards would be required to implement School Resource Officer (SRO) programs in areas where they are offered by local police services.
In 2021, the Thames Valley District School Board hit the pause button on the SRO program, board-wide.
Since then, there has been a review of the program, but no indication that the officers would return to schools.
St. Thomas Police Chief Marc Roskamp has been a strong proponent of SROs and he told myFM without their presence in schools, things have “gotten out of hand.”
And so, on Wednesday, the St. Thomas Police Service announced Const. Michael Kaiser will be the new Community Services Officer in city schools, beginning in September.
In a media release from St. Thomas Police, it was noted “the reinstatement of this role will reflect the approachable and supportive presence that has long been a hallmark of the school officer position, building on a legacy of support, and meaningful connections within our school communities.”
As the Community Services Officer, Const. Kaiser “Will take on the important responsibility of serving as the school liaison for all elementary and secondary schools in the City of St. Thomas. He is currently undergoing focused preparation to ensure he is well-equipped to provide meaningful, proactive support to students, educators, school administrators and parents across the community.”
It’s all about building trust, added Chief Roskamp.
He continued, “We are proud to provide this dedicated resource to our school community. Const. Kaiser brings strong communication skills, approachability, and a passion for youth engagement. He will play a key role in fostering safe, respectful learning environments by building strong relationships with students, staff, and families, supporting safety and well-being, and acting as a trusted resource within the school community.”
According to the police service, Const. Kaiser “Will be involved in a wide range of initiatives including intentional curriculum connections in classrooms, violence prevention efforts, crisis response support, and the development of positive, trust-based relationships between police and youth.”
Written by Ian McCallum
