An Ottawa police officer was set to talk to her child’s class as part of an initiative to present careers in community service to the students. However, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board told her she could not wear her uniform nor bring her police car due to “a level of fear associated with the profession.”
“This is a disturbing trend that needs to stop. Police officers are the people we call when we need help. They deserve so much better than this,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford in a tweet. He called on OCDSB to reverse its decision and “show our heroes on the frontlines the respect they deserve.”
The Ottawa Police Association (OPA) president Matthew Cox responded with a “letter of disappointment” on May 3. “If we are trying to build relationships in the communities and educate students who may wish to pursue a future career in Emergency Services how is this decision the appropriate course of action?” Cox said.
Cox’s letter quotes Minister of Education Stephen Lecce on the issue: “I find it entirely unacceptable for a school board to prevent a parent of a child in that school from attending [career day].”
Although the parent was allowed to attend, on condition she did not appear in uniform, “the officer declined as the uniform and police car is what the students want to see,” Cox told The Epoch Times via email.
In his letter to the board, Cox said he has given similar school presentations himself as an officer and parent, and “I can assure you that every child in that room loved seeing the police uniform and having an opportunity to sit in the police car and turn the lights and siren on and off.”
Director of Education Michelle Giroux said she would sit down to speak with Cox next week, Cox told The Epoch Times.
“Disproportionate police violence against some communities has caused a level of fear associated with the profession,” OCDSB Trustee Lyra Evans wrote to Cox. “When police roam the schools, this fear has a detrimental impact on the wellbeing of students, impacting their mental health and academic achievement.”
Evans did not respond to The Epoch Times request for further comment as of publication.
A similar incident occurred in the Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB) recently.
A police officer whose child attends a GEDSB school was initially told he could present for career day if he didn’t wear his uniform. But the board retracted that decision and said he could attend in uniform after all, according to a statement it gave local publication the Simcoe Reformer.
“As a board, we value the work and dedication of police officers, and as parents, they are welcome in our schools,” GEDSB said.