In January 2025, activists, teachers, and community members in
Victoria protested the potential reinstatement of the School Liaison
Officer (SLO) program (Seymour, 2025). Supporters argue that SLOs
enhance school safety and foster positive police-community relations
(Seymour, 2025). However, critics highlight the program's unintended
consequences, such as racial discrimination, which previously led to its
discontinuation in Vancouver and Victoria (Seymour, 2025). Despite
these concerns, policymakers are now advocating for the program’s
return, which amplifies stakeholder conflicts and disagreements.
Although the SLO program remains a contentious issue, there is
limited research on its impact. As a result, this study explores the
perspectives of students, educators, and community members to
evaluate its effectiveness on school safety and well-being. By
analyzing both supporting and opposing perspectives, this study aims
to address the question: What concerns do public members have about
the SLO program in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island?
