Heather Latter
In an effort to enhance school and community safety here, the Rainy River District School Board and the OPP are offering a Threat Assessment (Level 1) training program for community partners.
OPP Cst. Anne McCoy explained the program is designed for school administrators, education counsellors, police officers, corrections officers, health-care workers, social services workers, community mental health workers, and representatives from other community agencies.
“It’s valuable training to have because it will enable us to respond before issues become a crisis,” she reasoned, citing the training sessions are of no cost to participants thanks to funding received through the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services’ Safe Schools Grant.
The training program is being delivered in a two-day workshop, with four sessions available throughout the district.
The first is slated for May 9-10 at La Place Rendez-Vous in Fort Frances, followed by a session May 11-12 at the Atikokan Recreation Centre and another May 17-18 at the Emo Legion.
The final session will take place May 19-20 back at La Place Rendez-Vous.
Cst. McCoy indicated participants of the training program will learn how to determine whether an individual who makes threats poses a risk to the identified target or targets.
Teams will assess individuals who already have histories of violence and their potential for more serious violence.
Participants will become local experts at collecting data to help determine the level of risk an individual may pose towards self or others, and determine the appropriate response.
Teams also are trained to address the newer issue of “unauthored threats” that have plagued schools across Canada during the past year.
“The next step will then be to develop a community protocol,” Cst. McCoy explained, adding the multi-disciplinary composition of response teams developed through the training program will allow student information to be quickly reviewed and shared.
In addition, details of the event also will be able to be shared quickly in order to collaborate using a broad range of expertise.
This collaborative process will respect the individual’s rights to privacy and the safety of all.
Cst. McCoy indicated while space is limited in the training program, there still are some spots available.
Accommodations are available for out-of-town participants.
For more information or to register, contact Darlene Madill at 274-9855 ext. 4989.
