POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 29 HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL By Sarah Regan The News New Glasgow - Students at North Nova Education Centre will notice a new addition to their community as they make their way back to class today. A police officer has been assigned to the high school full time. Const. Rebecca Heighton, who has served with the New Glasgow Police Service for the past two years, is the new school resource officer. Heighton’s job is to educate, mentor, counsel and advise students on police-related matters. She will also coach the girl’s hockey team and assist in intramural sports. “I’m really excited to start,” says Heighton. “I got to have lunch with a few of the students yesterday and got the impression from them they are looking forward to having an officer around to answer any law related questions they may have.” Heighton’s first day will be today. She will be introduced to faculty and staff during an assembly Friday. She will also work as a resource officer for the feeder school at New Glasgow Junior High and the Adult High School. “Rebecca is actually a perfect fit for this position,” says Con st. Ken MacDonald, New Glasgow Police Service. “She is eager to work with youth, which is why she was chosen.” Heighton is the ‘first police officer in Pictou County to be assigned to work at a school full time. Funding for her position came from the Department of Justice’s commitment to put at least one police officer in all municipalities as part of the Boots to the Streets program. “Const. Heighton is going to be very much a part of our school,” says principal Eileen English. “I think it will give students a chance see a police officer in a different light. Plus, maybe she can help when we have parking issues.” Const. Rebecca Heighton is the new school resource officer at North Nova Education Centre. She is the first officer in Pictou County to be appointed to a school full time. In preparation for the start of the school year, RCMP have assigned part time school liaison officers to each of the 13 schools policed by the RCMP within Pictou County and the Town of Pictou. The 18 RCMP members, including two DARE officers, will work to strengthen the relationship between police and youth.
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