PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OKS POLICE DOG LOCKER SEARCHES

The Grande Prairie Public School District is taking a proactive approach to sniffing out potential problems in its junior and senior high schools. 

A new policy approved in principle by the board Tuesday will allow the RCMP's service dog to assist in keeping school facilities drug-free. 

Taking its cue from the St.  Albert School District that recently adopted a similar policy, RCMP locker searches could begin as early as September in city schools. 

"This is certainly not in response to any increase in problems we have," said board chairman Clyde Blackburn following Tuesday's regular meeting.  "We recognize we have more tools than in the past and we're also dealing with more challenges in schools."

The board will still be discussing the idea further with school councils, but Supt.  Lorne Radbourne says the principals have already been consulted and have thrown full support behind the initiative. 

"We've seen this happen elsewhere and have talked about using the police dog to search school lockers.  We've drafted the policy with the intent to take it back to the RCMP to see if it meets their needs," he said. 

"We'd like to begin in the fall.  Part of our whole process with this policy is to ensure the students understand.  We'd still like to share this with school council chairs to get their thoughts.  We'll bring the policy back in August for approval if we have that support."

Under the guidelines of the new policy, students will be informed of the procedure at the beginning of every school year and will sign forms to indicate they understand the policy.  Principals can access the entire school facility - including lockers - and will have the flexibility to conscript the RCMP dog's services as they see fit.  Any evidence gathered as a result of a search can be used either by the school administration for disciplining or by the RCMP for criminal charges. 

"It's an unfortunate reality we're facing but in the long run, I think students and parents will thank us for this," said trustee Doreen Lakusta. 

The policy will mainly affect only the junior and senior high students. 

"We view this as a tool.  It fits," Radbourne said. 

"This is a societal problem, not a school problem.  It will take a few months to work through but we can definitely see certain benefits."