LPS expands scope of School Resource Officers, changes name

Oct 28, 2021 | 10:54 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Police Service School Resource Officers will now be known as the Youth Engagement Unit (YEU).

At Wednesday’s Police Commission meeting, details of the re-tooled organization were presented.

The YEU aims to take an analytical, directed, and proactive approach to identify, engage, and intervene with youths who either are, or who may engage in criminal and/or harmful behaviours and help to turn them into successful and law-abiding citizens.

“The YEU will focus on providing outreach in the forms of early intervention, positive mentorship, recommending support services, building positive relationships, and keeping young offenders out of the criminal justice system through diversionary programs where appropriate and where legislated,” reads a section of the report to the Police Commission.

“Circumstances at times may dictate that criminal charges are warranted but the overall focus of the YEU is diversion as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act.”

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Officials say the new direction will not result in School Resource Officers, now known as Youth Engagement Officers (YEO) being removed from school settings.

It will instead ensure that YEOs are focused on matters pertaining specifically to youth and offering relevant services that are proactive and reactive.

The new focus will require continued partnerships between Central Officer Senior Administrative Leadership Teams, School Administrators, Counselling Coordinators, Counsellors, Wellness Teams, FNMI Coordinators, and Mental Health Capacity Teams. The scope of this new initiative will also expand to include other community partnerships outside of the school settings such as Youth Justice Committee, Children Family Services, and various youth homes, etc.

by David Opinko