It’s been 25 years since the Brantford Police Service became the first policing organization in Ontario to put dedicated officers in the city’s high schools.
Thursday morning, people affiliated with the program over its quarter-century returned to Brantford to mark the milestone.
“We’re tremendously proud of the work that our officers have done to make this program a success … and to allow it to continue to be such a success,” said Chief Geoff Nelson.
St. John’s College was the first school to be given a school resource officer. Over time, it spread to each of the city’s high schools
In 1993, Michael Souliere became the second Brantford Police officer assigned to the program.
He still remembers that posting for letting him see students in a different light, and teaching him the “value of an outstretched hand.”
“It was definitely something that I got a lot out of,” said Souliere, who is now an instructor at the Ontario Police College.
Brian Quistberg first encountered school resource officers when he was hired as a vice-principal at Pauline Johnson CVI.
“It was like having a third vice-principal in the building. It really helped with that relationship with students,” he said.
