Rehtaeh Parsons report to prompt review of school policies on investigations

The province's education minister says school board policies on police investigations will be reviewed in the wake of a report that looked at how investigators and prosecutors handled the case of Rehtaeh Parsons.

Last week's report by Murray Segal found officers were "thwarted" by school authorities when trying to interview students at Cole Harbour High School as they investigated allegations Parsons had been sexually assaulted and a photo of the incident was being circulated.

The police liaison officer was told police could not investigate on school grounds as the alleged assault happened at a house party, the report said. 

Parsons died in 2013 after attempting suicide.

Policies vary between boards

Each school board has its own protocol that determines when and how police can interact with students, Education Minister Karen Casey said Thursday.

The province will discuss with boards and police services about whether changes should be made, she said.

"If we need to look at those guidelines, if we need to have consistency, that's certainly something we will do," Casey said.

Other improvements already made, says minister

The province and various school boards have made improvements since 2013. They include hiring an anti-bullying coordinator and adding extra professional development for administrators and teachers, she said. 

"None of us ever want any harm to come to any of our students, so every step that we can take that ensures their safety is a move forward," Casey said.

Although the review is "a priority," no meetings with boards or police, nor a deadline, have yet been set, she said. 

The province hopes to strengthen the roles of police liaison officers in schools so they can help with criminal investigations, Justice Minister Diane Whalen said last week.