This is our community. These are our kids. It takes a village to raise these children. We have a School Resource Officer, Constable Rigby, to advocate for and protect our students, staff and families. WE WANT TO KEEP HER. Mayor Baker, Please accept this petition as a request to make Constable Rigby's School Resource Officer a permanent position by increasing funding to our local RCMP detatchement

The RCMP School Resource Officers act as resource people for teachers, parents and youth and are positive role models for our youth. Although their roles are not intended to be as enforcement officers, they will respond as police officers to any emergent in progress incident.

These individuals have become an incredible resource in supporting students’ needs, dealing with school level incidents, educating students on how to access resources and making safe life choices. At the staff level they are quickly available to support any school based incidents and a conduit to rapid response when issues require additional resources. Also they work closely with district staff when a community incident has a potential impact on a school(s). In addition, their daily attendance in schools have a general calming effect on the students knowing there is both a security and enforcement presence in the school.

Her presence in our schools is looked forward to. Hearing kids call her name in delight is such a positive sound in the elementary hallways. When I watch my 6 year old son stop on his bike and wave furiously at Constable Rigby driving through the neighborhood I smile. My thoughts and concerns about my eldest daughter transitioning to high school are eased, knowing Constable Rigby's familiar face will be there as well.

When we think of police, we think Cops n Robbers. Having a School Resource officer shatters that stereotype and allows an officer to become a person. A person who knows a child's name. A person who cares about their safety and well being. Having Constable Rigby as our resource officer helps our children develop a healthy, positive view of police officers. If these stages don't happen, our children can become adults who only see the side of the law that catches them doing something wrong. Her presence is key in helping our kids become healthy, responsible citizens in our community.

Perhaps the most crucial role of our Resource officer are her many relationships with at risk students. Students who enter the public school system facing circumstances that could jeopardize their ability to complete school. Homelessness, serious health issues, domestic violence. At a Senior level, teen pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse, transiency and so many more. If seeing Constable Rigby at school is their only opportunity for communicating with her, and we take that opportunity away, where will our most vulnerable students turn to?

I urge you to learn more about this vital role. Get informed. Sign the Petition

Maybe your kid doesn't require the service of a School Resource Officer...

Until they do....

Respectfully,

Kendra Weisbrodt