Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

The Okanagan-Skaha School District will not be getting a full-time school liaison officer anytime soon, but trustees are optimistic communication is improving between the two organizations.

In March, the SD 67 board voted to send another letter to the Penticton RCMP requesting the detachment bring back the full-time school liaison officer position. It’s the second time the school board has made the request, the first time, Supt. Kevin Hewco was on his way out the door for retirement, and SD 67 never received a response.

But now, Supt. Ted De Jager has taken control of the detachment and informed them they are prioritizing other areas.

"All of our schools administrators receive a constable, it’s not a liaison officer but it’s their point of contact should they want to have an officer come in and meet the kids or talk about concerns," said Supt. Wendy Hyer. 

"He (De Jager) does have the expectation that they are connecting with schools and administrators, and that they have a higher level of visibility than in the past."

Hyer added that they are looking forward to some other initiatives De Jager is working on that will impact youth.

"He is also in the creative position where he can focus on mental health outreach and support. He can work closely with Interior Health," Hyer said.

The detachment is in the process of hiring its first dedicated mental health officer, in response to a rise in mental health calls.

"The RCMP is getting called out for mental health issues, versus criminal activity and so it’s having people that have the training required to support, rather than having to deal with those issues in a legal sort of way," Hyer said.