END PROGRAM PUTTING COPS IN TORONTO SCHOOLS: REPORT

A staff report from Canada’s largest school board recommends eliminating a controversial program that placed police in certain Toronto schools after finding the scheme left some students feeling intimidated or uncomfortable.

The report follows a six-week period during which students, staff and parents at affected schools were surveyed and student focus groups and community meetings were held to assess the School Resource Officer program. The report, which is subject to approval by board trustees, said the program should be discontinued, but the board should continue to work with police to ensure a safe school environment.

The SRO program was implemented in 2008 after Jordan Manners, 15, was shot and killed at C. W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute the previous year.