Const. Dave Henry, the school resource officer (SRO) of two local high schools, is being relocated to Airdrie, much to the dismay of the city's youth who have even started an online petition to get him to stay.
Henry will transfer to continue working as an RCMP officer and be closer to his family. A former employee of Air Canada and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Henry joined the RCMP in 2005 to do more to help people. Three years later, he became the SRO at Paul Kane and Bellerose Composite high schools.
"When the school position came open, I took it because I felt instead of waiting 'til they're 19 or 20 and there's [run-ins with the law] and putting them through the system, I felt maybe I could make a difference before they got into that," Henry said.
Initially thinking the job involved enforcement, setting a good example and teaching classes like Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE), he quickly found there was much more. After a mere week, he started to develop relationships he didn't expect, especially with students.
Showing students respect resulted in an exchange of trust that now benefits both sides of a partnership to make schools a safer, more positive setting. By building relationships with the many students, Henry has found allies and created inroads with youth in St. Albert.
"He has opened up lines of communication with kids that have not been there before," said George Mentz, principal of Bellerose Composite High School. "He has given kids a chance to see police in a different way, to see authority in a different way, to understand that there is somebody else in the community who can care about them and that is the police service generally."
However, the exchange in this partnership between officer and student is not one-sided. Henry has expanded his duties to show there is more than one side to the uniform. His job has extended further, allowing him to be a role model to students in the high schools. Involved in the music programs at both high schools, Henry accompanied both Paul Kane and Bellerose students to Halifax, N.S. on a band trip as a chaperone.
Henry has not only integrated himself among the youth, but has learned about today's adolescents.
"I look up to some of these kids for what they've gone through and who they've become," he said. "Our youth don't always necessarily get the credit for being who they are. I truly believe that if you give them the chance, they will exceed your expectations. They won't just meet it, they'll live up to it and more."
Facebook petition
St. Albert has a list of 40 assets that sum up the ideals for a youth's success in the future that includes the need for positive adult role models in an individual's life. Henry has been noted as one for many students — some voicing this on a petition formed on Facebook that has grossed 999 members opposing his transfer to Airdrie. While most are not in favour of the relocation, Henry has given that one important asset the city knows youth need.
"He's showed me that I have to do what I want in life, not what everyone else wants me to do. He got me more motivated to come to school instead of just slacking off and sort of just winging it," said Mike Martinson, a Bellerose alumnus.
Students are not afraid to say how they feel about Henry's transfer.
"I hate it. I hate it completely," says Devon Manning, a Grade 12 Bellerose student. "It's abysmal. He is one of the top three reasons school is my favourite place."
Police officers have been stereotyped as people out to catch people doing wrong, but Henry is one of many officers who try to veer from such sentiments. "We're just part of the community and police originally started out like that — as community members."
There is no denying that the coming change to the SRO position will be an adjustment for the individuals Henry has known and helped.
"He will be missed," said Mentz.
