Vernon RCMP Const. Neil Horne new school resource officer for School District 22

Photo: Contributed

Const. Neil Horne has gone back to school.

The Vernon mountie is the new RCMP School Resource Officer for School District 22.

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP’s school program provides a police resource and contact for students, staff and parents in both elementary and high schools.

“The SRO is an effective part of the administration team, collaborating with teachers, administrators, parents, students and other community partners to enhance safety and security in our schools. The health, safety, and well-being of youth in our community is a priority for the RCMP,” says Supt. Shawna Baher.

“The SRO program builds long-lasting, meaningful relationships with our students. It provides an opportunity to interact with a police officer in a positive, non-confrontational way that humanizes the uniform and lets them see our officers as an adult they can trust.”

Having spent 20 years in social work prior to joining the RCMP, Horne understands the importance of positive engagement with youth and his experience working with children in care and at-risk teens will be an asset in his new role.

“As a police officer, it’s incredibly important to me that we promote healthy lifestyles and choices for our children,” said Horne. “I’m really looking forward to interacting with our students on a daily basis, building trust, having open and honest discussions and sharing perspectives.”

In addition to providing safety and crime prevention lessons to students, the SRO aims to be a familiar face within the school – someone students, staff and others can come to with questions or concerns.

“I want to be a positive role model and to play an active role in providing our children with the knowledge and confidence they need to make safe and responsible choices. I want our kids to know we care about them,” said Horne.