Ottawa’s police chief says police increasing presence in schools in response to ‘broader concerns’

Police Chief Eric Stubbs said there will be an increased presence at schools. As CTV's Austin Lee reports, it's not a return of the school officer program.

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has begun increasing officers' presence in schools across the city in response to community concerns, according to the police chief.

“In response to broader concerns, our Community Youth Unit has been working closely with all four school boards,” Chief Eric Stubbs told the Ottawa Police Services Board Monday evening.

“We want the school boards, parents and students to know that we are here to help, and we have begun to increase our presence in schools.”

Police say its “renewed school engagement enhances” schools' access to the following:

• Dedicated support: Schools now have direct access to Community Unit Officers.
• Proactive Engagement: Police say Community Youth Unit officers will provide guidance, build relationships with students and staff, and support initiatives such as educational presentations and lockdown practices
• Streamlined Communications: Clearly defined reporting protocols to “ensure efficient coordination between school and OPS,” police say.

Stubbs made the comments while discussing a stabbing at Hillcrest High School on Jan. 13. Two people were treated for serious injuries and two people are facing charges.

“The incident speaks to a larger trend we are noticing in schools and in the community,” Stubbs said.

“Our Community Youth Unit has been actively engaged with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s safe school staff and leadership team.

“This partnership has included visits from our youth officers to Hillcrest High School to provide support and guidance. Additionally, a violent threat risk assessment was conducted in collaboration with our youth serving partners. This comprehensive assessment aims to address any further risks and ensure a safe environment for all students and staff.”

Stubbs told the board that the stabbing “was met with a prompt and efficient response” by frontline officers and members of the Community Youth Unit.

The chief did not provide any further details about the increased police presence at Ottawa schools.

A spokesperson for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board said officers will not be stationed in schools.

“Changes with how OPS provides services and supports to schools will not lead to an increased presence in OCDSB schools,” the board said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. “The only change is how we access OPS when we need resources/services.”

“The OPS has a new service delivery model for accessing resources and supports. Depending on the situation, requests will come through school principals and the Principal of Safe and Caring Schools.”

In 2021, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board voted to end the School Resource Officer Program, with the board moving to an “emergency response-based relationship with police,” according to the board.

Ottawa police say it adopted a new youth strategy last year, in an effort to address root causes to reduce victimization and youth criminality.

“Our Community Youth Unit’s increased presence is not the return of the ‘SRO’ program, in which schools had dedicated youth officers who responded to calls for service,” said staff Sgt. Fernando Vieira in an emailed statement.

“Rather, this new OPS youth service delivery, accessible to all boards, will make it easier for schools to receive guidance, engage proactively with officers, and report certain incidents to the Community Youth Officers.”

Special constables

Chief Stubbs also announced a new initiative involving special constables, called “Project Compliment.”

“It’s a new initiative aimed at improving community safety and wellbeing by leveraging the strengths of our special constables,” Stubbs said.

“This will allow us to expand the support that they provide, freeing up sworn officers to focus on areas where their expertise is most needed. These special constables will take on key tasks, such as supporting forensic investigations, assisting with fraud and cyber crime cases and managing traffic at various scenes. With the new hires, we’ll be enhancing our operations and boosting our capacity to service the community.”

Last April, the service announced the District Special Constable Pilot Project, aiming to assist frontline patrol officers by sending special constables to various non-emergency calls. The special constables will assist with the custody of persons apprehended under the Mental Health Act and for traffic control duties.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Austin Lee