North Lanarkshire Council’s Conservative group succeeded in gaining support for a motion calling for greater police presence on school campuses.
The motion, presented at the final meeting of the council’s term, was presented by Tory representatives Bob Burgess and Colin Cameron.
It read: “NLC is fully aware of the benefits of our campus police initiative, instructs our education officials to compile a paper, with the collaboration of Police Scotland, to progress the initiative and consider its expansion into high schools which are indicating they are in need of the help and support that a campus based police officer can provide.”
The Conservatives amended this wording to include part of an SNP amendment which called for consultation with young people, including those from minority groups, with their views reflected in the future rollout of the initiative.
Despite this attempt to composite the motion and amendment the SNP group chose to proceed with their amendment.
This was tabled by Junaid Ashraf seconded by Fiona Fotheringham.
Candidate Ashraf, who is standing in next month's election, said his amendment sought to ensure the deployment of police was “proportionate and considered” but that so far the scheme had been “beneficial” in allowing police in Cumbernauld to apprehend misbehaving pupils outside school hours thanks to the relationships built up between campus police and pupils.
“The presence of the campus police officer also supports teachers who are finding it less comfortable to engage with unruly students outside of contact teaching time,” he said.
However, he added that the heart of the education system is not what is beneficial to police as ultimately schools are a learning environment for young people so any increased security must be introduced with the engagement of pupils.
He also cited academic studies which showed police presence was “disproportionate” in schools where large numbers of pupils were working class or from ethnic minorities and there was a “slippery slope” where minor disciplinary issues became criminal matters, as well as an incident in England where a 15-year-old schoolgirl, referred to as Child Q, was strip searched.
Education convener Frank McNally said it was “disappointing” that the attempted composite motion had been rejected as he felt both the motion and the amendment were reasonable.
He added that the council works very closely with Police Scotland while continually engaging with young people on this matter so any future paper would reflect their views as standard practice.
In the subsequent vote the motion was carried by 37 votes to 26.
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