The objective of the High School Liaison Officer Program (HSLO) is to provide a responsive policing model at local secondary schools to meets the needs of educators, students, and families. By building effective working relationships with everyone in the school community, HSLOs will develop and implement educational programs in partnership with school boards to best address police related issues and concerns in local high schools.

Officers attend schools on a regularly scheduled basis, respond to questions and concerns from students, parents, teachers, school boards and the community, and meet regularly with administration to ensure clear and collaborative communication.

The Youth Engagement Team focuses specifically on vulnerable ‘at risk’ youth, including children at risk of victimization or engaging in criminality. The Team works closely with HRPS social workers to support vulnerable youth in our area through enhanced connections, education delivered in partnership with school and community stakeholders, and leading youth programming that engage youth in non-traditional, non-school environments.

The Regional Diversion Team supports young people who have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System through the administration of the Youth Diversion Program. Exploring the root causation of associated behaviours is the first step to charting a course that ultimately leads to a youth’s future success in adulthood.

This regional team works closely with the Youth Engagement Team to partner vulnerable youth with a Youth Engagement Officer.

The HRPS Safety Village is expected to re-open later this year. It will feature new, updated & dynamic programming for our Region’s youngest residents. The programming created is specifically designed for children in Junior Kindergarten/Senior Kindergarten and Grades 1 to 3. Schools and families will have the opportunity to opt-in to these programs, which are aimed at building a strong foundational relationship between community helpers (the police) and children.