Whether it’s speaking at schools or to new immigrants, police Const. Regan Pawliw is excited to interact more fully with the public after two years of pandemic measures.
Pawliw — or “Const. Reggie” to young students — is the lone member of the Moose Jaw Police Service’s school resource program. Pawliw spoke about his experience of visiting schools during the June 9 Board of Police Commissioners meeting.
Pawliw started as the school resource officer this past January and has toured every high school and elementary school in the community, he explained. With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, he regularly walks the halls, chats with students, builds connections and participates in activities, which have all been good experiences.
Teachers and counsellors also appreciate seeing him and call or text often about issues.
Lately, the officer has supported bike rodeos at elementary schools. With summer coming, police have been teaching kids about bike and helmet safety while putting them through obstacle courses to test them.
“It’s nice to be part of functions again now that COVID’s gone,” he said.
Pawliw visits high schools from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., sometimes sitting in on classes or speaking about the law or drugs. He also has an office in each high school, so students know where to find him and can chat privately if necessary.
However, he hopes another officer can join the program since he is often called away on “the Batman phone” for police business.
Pawliw also works with the police service’s bike and foot patrols in Crescent Park. This allows residents to chat with him about what’s happening and ask questions. He even sees high school students in the park on break, happily waving to him.
“So it’s good to build that connection and report with them … because sometimes we have some Fight Club in Crescent Park with the students,” he continued. “So, I’m always there trying to make sure that doesn’t happen anymore and avoid that kind of stuff.”
Pawliw is busy as the school resource officer, and while the position has its positives, there are also negative aspects. He noted that harassment on social media is “really bad” right now. So, he gives several presentations a week on how to mitigate cyberbullying.
His PowerPoint presentations build connections with teachers and parents so neither is scared to approach the police about negative situations. He pointed out that it’s difficult to know what students are doing on their phones since the devices are small and allow for private activities.
“That’s the hardest part right now because it’s constant with the social media stuff (and kids need to know the consequences of their actions) … ,” Pawliw added. “It’s a tricky battle.”
Pawliw also works with the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council. He speaks to new immigrants when they arrive to ease their anxiety about law enforcement, especially if they have had bad experiences with police in their home countries.
Most newcomers won’t look at him when he starts to speak because they are intimidated. However, they open up as he assuages their fears about police in Moose Jaw and either shakes his hand or fist-bumps him afterward.
The goal is to slowly and steadily thaw immigrants’ fears of police, said Pawliw, adding he has also spoken with immigrant children and addressed their concerns.
Commissioner Mary Lee Booth expressed her appreciation for the school resource initiative and its efforts to build trust and prevent incidents, especially after school shootings recently in the United States. She noted that, in retrospect, perpetrators always leave clues that they plan to do something.
“That’s the main thing with me, is I don’t want to come across as intimidating or scary to students,” replied Pawliw. “I … want to make them feel comfortable so they can talk to me about stuff.”
The next Board of Police Commissioners meeting is Thursday, July 14.
