Police set to return to Hamilton schools under new deal: HWDSB

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) says in a letter to families that police officers will be back in public schools beginning next fall.

An official agreement bringing School Resource Officer (SRO) programs to Hamilton schools is set to be signed by police and the four local school boards on Thursday.

Under new provincial guidelines introduced this year, school boards and local police services must work together to create an engagement framework that will inform the subsequent implementation of SRO programs. 

The updated protocol also requires school boards to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and engage students, families and community members in informing the development and implementation of the SRO program.

Next September, the SRO program is expected to include four officers serving schools across all four Hamilton school boards. 

Starting this December, the school boards and Hamilton police will launch a community engagement process to help inform the development and implementation of the program locally.

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