ALMA – Northumberland Regional High School will have a part-time RCMP liaison officer on site soon.
Nova Scotia Justice Minister Ross Landry was at the school Monday, to make the announcement.
“The officer is here for the students as an educational partner,” Landry said.
The officer is intended to focus on crime prevention and education. It is Landry’s hope that having the officer on site and accessible to the students will deter students from drugs and alcohol.
Landry said the officer could educate students on Internet safety, hard drugs and any issues educators at the school think should be addressed.
“There are many issues facing teens today. It’s not easy,” said Landry.
“We’re thrilled. It is what we were looking for for a long time,” said Bob Ballantyne, principal of Northumberland Regional High School.
Danica Finch and Devon Bate, co-presidents of the students’ council at the high school are very optimistic about having the RCMP work with students.
“The officer will be a great role model,” said Bate. They also hope that the officer will be someone students can go to if they’re in  trouble. “Some students aren’t comfortable talking to teachers,” said Finch.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve Halliday said they have yet to work out the details of which officer will be part-timing as the liaison but they are excited to start this program.
“The youth sector is our most vulnerable sector,” said Halliday.
The officer will also be present for students at Pictou Academy.
Halliday said that the RCMP would be partnering with the New Glasgow police, who play a similar role at North Nova Education Centre, to ensure that they are keeping young people across the county safe and educated.
Landry was also at Pictou Landing yesterday to announce another RCMP position for Pictou Landing First Nation.
The province has provided funding for 150 additional officers throughout the province since 2006. The number of police per capita in Nova Scotia is now above the national average, according to a government press release.