Provincial Model for a Local Police/School Board Protocol


Provincial Model for a Local Police/School Board Protocol

All school boards and police services in Ontario are required to have a local police/school board protocol in place to guide police involvement in schools. A safe, inclusive and equitable school environment fosters and supports learning, ongoing development of positive behaviour, including respect, responsibility, and civility.

The Provincial Model for a Local Police/School Board Protocol serves as a template for school boards. It outlines the common principles upon which all local police/school board protocols should be based, and the 22 key elements they must include.

The Provincial Model for a Local Police/School Board Protocol has been prepared jointly by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services for the following reasons:

  • to ensure a consistent approach in the local protocols developed by school boards and police services across the province;
  • to promote dialogue and the establishment of effective relationships between schools and police based on cooperation and shared understandings; and
  • to set provincial expectations for local protocols, while allowing police services and school boards to address service-delivery arrangements and unique factors and/or considerations that may affect individual jurisdictions.

At the root of effective school-police partnerships is a common understanding of each partner's role and responsibilities as well as agreed upon procedures and decision-making authority. Providing the best possible education for students in a safe school community is a shared responsibility which requires a commitment to collaboration, cooperation, and effective communication.

The Provincial Model for a Local Police/School Board Protocol is available as a PDF file (408 KB).