The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT), the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic have joined a protocol that strives to reduce violence and conflict.

The three institutions formally agreed to become partners in the Regina Human Service Partnership (RHSP) Community Violence Threat Risk Assessment and Support Protocol at a signing ceremony on Thursday at the University of Regina.

Regina’s public and Catholic school boards and various City of Regina and provincial government agencies first signed the RHSP protocol in 2017.

“SIIT has made it our priority to continue to participate in Violence Threat Risk Assessment training, and activities which include the development of partnerships with other educational institutions, community support organizations and law enforcement agencies,” Riel Bellegarde, president and CEO of SIIT, said. “By engaging in activity focused on early intervention, we are looking forward to working together to promote safe spaces for all.”

The protocol is also a commitment to keep the community protected and provide safe spaces.

“The addition of these three post-secondary institutes to the protocol is a great step toward making our schools and community safer,” said City of Regina Police Chief Evan Bray and co-chair of the RHSP. “Implementation of this Protocol supports collaborative planning among the partners to reduce violence and prevent traumatic events and is based on best practices identified by the North American Center for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response.”

(Photo courtesy of University of Regina Photography.)