A former teacher in the Saanich School District and now a police officer with the Central Saanich Police Service, Constable Glen Davies is ready to take on the task of being the detachment’s new Youth Resource Officer.
The Youth Resource Officer position, often referred to as the school liaison for the Central Saanich police, was previously occupied by Corporal Pat Bryant. Bryant, who rotated out of the position over the summer, is now back on patrol and Davies took over the position this month.
“I’ve been a police officer for nine years, six of which I’ve spent in Central Saanich on patrol rotation,” explained Davies.
“In the Youth Resource Officer position I get to be back in the schools, and although it’s in a different capacity then when I was teaching, I still get to interact and build those important relationships with the youth in our community,” said Davies.
Davies will spend his days — Monday to Friday — working with youth in schools and outside of school in different ways.
“The most important aspect of the position is of course getting into the schools and making those connections with the students, but I will also be leading class discussions on things like bullying, internet awareness and safety, drug and alcohol awareness and traffic safety for the older students. As well, any of the youth-related files that come into the station are sent to me. So there are many different facets to the job.”
Davies, who has lived on the Peninsula for the last 27 years, has deep connections within the community and the youth in the community especially.
“Because of my teaching career, I know a lot of families, as well as living here and coaching both minor hockey and lacrosse over the years, my connections in the community run deep. It makes everything I do in my job more personal,” he said.
Davies said he feels it is especially important in his role as Youth Resource Officer to shift the view for youth and teens that police aren’t bad guys.
“At a certain age, youth begin to see law enforcement as the bad guys, so a big part of my job is to get into the schools and break down those barriers. It’s so important for youth to feel like they have someone to talk to or go to if they need it,” he said.
Davies can be reached at 250-656-4441.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com