The Calgary Police Service school resource officer program is celebrating 50 years. A special event was held midday Wednesday to mark the occasion. School resource officers past and present, along with school board members and other community partners, gathered at Calgary Police Service (CPS) headquarters in the city’s northeast. The event was put together by the CPS youth services unit. CPS said Tuesday morning in a news release the event would allow attendees “to reflect on the program’s history and recognize the relationships that have been built between police, students, families and educators over the past five decades.” At Wednesday’s event, Insp. Mark Ehrmantraut with the youth services unit called it “a tremendous milestone.” “It really speaks to the foundation of what we’ve developed with the program,” he said. “We’re able to celebrate both current members and retired members from the program ... (and) their dedication to the program, which really has made it what it is. “Also, to celebrate with our partners. ... They are really the strength of our program as well.” The release noted the evolution the program has undergone, saying the program has grown to “help address issues such as cyberbullying, sextortion, online exploitation, emerging technologies and other challenges affecting youth both in and outside the classroom.” Ehrmantraut told CTV News the program “has changed significantly” over the past five decades. He said it has adapted to “emerging trends we see in the classroom.” He also said the key has remained in relationship-building. Ehrmantraut said he hopes the program has another 50 years in it, if not more. “It’s been a tremendously successful program, and it really is supported by everybody,” he said.
