Michele Henry & Kristin Rushowy, Toronto Star
June 24, 2008
Contrary to comments made yesterday by the Toronto school board chair, police officers roaming the halls of Toronto’s high schools this fall will not only be uniformed, they’ll also be armed, Chief Bill Blair said today.
“Quite frankly, as you can probably guess by my constant appearance, I believe in police officers in uniform,” he told a press conference this morning.
“I want the people of Toronto to see their police. I want them to have a relationship with the entire police service that is based on trust and respect. And my police officers are armed.”
His comments were in direct contrast to school board chair John Campbell, who said yesterday that in a bid to improve safety and build relationships with teens, police will set up an office in several high schools around the city but their presence will be “casual and low-key.”
“I think we’re going to have guys in blue slacks and golf shirts meeting with kids, and talking to kids, and doing community development,” he said.
But Blair said no officers of his will be wandering around in golf shirts and jeans.
Last month, the Toronto board approved an action plan in response to a January report by a safety panel looking into conditions in the city’s public schools.
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Ed Deak.