Grand Erie District School Board

Introduction: From Presence to Partnership

The role of police in schools is a deeply complex issue that must balance student safety with creating the best possible learning environment. So when the Grand Erie District School Board (Grand Erie) released its Review of Police Programs and Presence in Schools in 2023, they reimagined the partnership connected to the revised curriculum and officially launched Police Resource Outreach Supporting Education (PROSE™)

Police Resource Outreach Supporting Education (PROSE) is a collaborative initiative designed to empower students, educators, and communities with knowledge and practical strategies related to safety, justice, and civic responsibility. Developed in partnership with the Grand Erie District School Board and local police services, the PROSE modules address a range of contemporary topics.

The PROSE modules aim to:

●      Provide accurate, age-appropriate information about legal concepts, personal safety, and social issues relevant to students’ lives;

●      Encourage learners to explore diverse perspectives, analyze scenarios, and reflect on their own beliefs and decision-making processes;

●      Create a supportive environment for discussing sensitive topics, building discussion norms, and respecting the experiences and emotions of all participants;

●      Equip students with practical skills such as communication, conflict resolution, and digital citizenship to respond effectively to challenges and contribute positively to their communities;

●      Highlight the roles of police officers, educators, and community organizations as partners in supporting student well-being and safety.       

“This refreshed approach is about officers not just being in schools – but being in classrooms: co-planning and co-teaching,” says Dr. JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. “It’s about sharing expertise and helping students engage deeply in topics ranging from law and justice to community safety.”

Solution: A Curriculum-First Approach

The core of PROSE™ is a suite of interactive, research-based modules that are co-developed and co-delivered by teachers and police officers. Rather than "drop-in" visits, officers from the Brantford Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) work alongside educators to teach topics that are already part of the Ontario curriculum.

Every interaction has a clear educational purpose. The program currently spans eight Grade 9 to 12 courses, covering critical real-world issues:

●      Consent: Navigating healthy relationships (Grade 9 Health and PE).

●      Internet Safety & Online Behaviour: Addressing cyberbullying and digital citizenship (Grades 9 and 10).

●      Human Trafficking: Recognizing "red flags" and knowing how to seek help (Grade 9).

●      Modern Policing & Restorative Justice: Understanding the evolution of the legal system and how to repair harm (Grades 11 and 12).

To ensure the program is inclusive, all PROSE™ officers and school staff undergo equity-focused training that centres on cultural competence and bias awareness. This ensures that the program acknowledges complex histories while building a shared vision for the future.

Results: Trust, Recognition, and National Excellence

PROSE’s™ impact has resonated far beyond the classroom, proving that empathy and collaboration can bridge even the widest gaps.

In June 2025, the Minister of Education visited Grand Erie’s Innovation Hub to participate in a PROSE™ lesson, highlighting the program as a provincial best practice for student success and safety. That November, the PROSE™ writing team received the Ontario Justice Education Network’s (OJEN) Chief Justices’ Award – the highest honour awarded by OJEN for promoting public understanding of the justice system.

By focusing on curriculum connections and co- teaching as well as community building—such as officers participating in intramurals, clubs, and food drives – the program model has shifted into the classroom. And PROSE empowers students and families to make informed choices about participation with a “decision support tool” that mirrors similar transparency measures used in health education.

“The PROSE program is proof that when police and educators work together with empathy and respect, we can make a lasting difference,” says Chief Jason Saunders of the Brantford Police Service.

By grounding police presence in the curriculum and centering the voices of those they serve, Grand Erie has reframed the school-police relationship. PROSE™ has shown that when we lead with trust, we don't just create safer schools – we create stronger, more connected communities.