![\"Text](\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/a\/assets\/texttospeech.svg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Listen to this article<\/p>\n
Estimated 4 minutes<\/p>\n
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.<\/p>\n
An Edmonton Public Schools program that sees police officers have a presence at its schools has mostly garnered praise from school and education staff after it returned to some schools last year.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
But not everyone is sold on the school resource officer (SRO) program\u2019s efficacy.<\/p>\n
This comes after an Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) meeting last week, where a report was presented to school board trustees tracking the phased implementation of the SRO program.<\/p>\n
It surveyed staff, students and family on their impressions and experiences with officers as the program was reintroduced. Many respondents said they felt officers had a positive impact on safety in schools, according to the report.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The review also said that respondents who were students generally \u201cappreciated the approachable, friendly and visible presence of the SRO.\u201d<\/p>\n
So far, officers have returned to 13 schools across Edmonton, according to the report.<\/p>\n
The EPSB says seven more schools are getting SROs this month. <\/p>\n
Roxie Kruse, an 18-year-old student at McNally High School, said while she hasn\u2019t interacted with her SRO much, she feels more safe now knowing he\u2019s there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it’s really good implementing this because there are a lot of dangers,” she said. “Our school is very close to downtown. So, you know, might not be the safest of areas, but it’s good that we have that.”<\/p>\n
Student Sai\u2019jana Vassell said McNally High School\u2019s SRO has provided help in more areas than one.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771342088_407_default.jpg\")
Roxie Kruse and Sai\u2019jana Vassell, McNally High School students, said they were pleased to have a school resource officer in their school. (Nathan Gross\/CBC)<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s actually helped me a lot with cyberbullying, online bullying and other stuff that’s been going around,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s just been a lot more helpful in the past year than the school’s ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n
At a school board meeting last week, principals and school staff echoed some of that praise, saying the presence of officers has left teachers with more time to focus on their work.<\/p>\n
Program previously fraught with criticism<\/p>\n
In 2020, the program was suspended after it came under scrutiny. Some members of the public said they had concerns about the effects policing had on marginalized students.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since then, multiple studies commissioned by the EPSB have found mixed conclusions on the effect school policing had on those students.\u00a0<\/p>\n