Youth in Policing Initiative (Details)

Name of province/ territory:

Ontario

City/ Region:

Toronto

Description of Initiative:

Summer employment program for youth aged 14-17 from designated priority neighbourhoods in the city of Toronto.

Initiative Key Objectives:

The initiative has several objectives:

  • build positive relationships between police and young people;
  • showcase the Toronto Police Service to young people and the priority neighbourhoods they are from; and
  • provide meaningful employment and work experience to the young people that are hired.

Section Responsible for Implementation:

Area Field Command

Key Contact:

Danielle Dowdy
danielle.dowdy@torontopolice.on.ca

Groups/ Agencies/ Key Partners Involved:

  • community groups
  • other government departments/agencies
  • other: Ontario Ministry of Child and Youth Services, Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services

Level of Involvement (consultative - information sharing) and/or cooperative - direct involvement):

Consultative

Amount of Time Initiative has been in Place:

This initiative has been in place since 2006.

Reason for Undertaking the Initiative:

Other concerns—to improve police-community relations, relationship building, and decrease gang recruitment

Resources Required to Implement this Initiative:

This initiative received $685,000 in its first year,then $585,000 per year in subsequent years

Method of Implementation:

This was a three-year pilot (2006-2009), then it was fully funded in perpetuity by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS).

Key Outcomes of the Initiative:

The objectives are being met:

  • improved relations between police and youth, police and community residents;
  • police seen in positive light and TPS seen as an employer of choice; and
  • police acquire a more positive outlook on and better understanding of young people.

Availability of a Communication Strategy:

No

Key Messages used to Publicize the Initiative:

Informal communications are disseminated using social media, and MCYS formally publicizes the annual launch of the program.

Forms of Evaluation by which the Initiative will be Assessed:

  • summative
  • internal
  • quantitative
  • qualitative

Evaluation Completed or Community Feedback Received:

Yes

Summary of the Outcomes:

  • The program has had a positive effect on police–youth relations and interactions.
  • Policing is seen as a positive career choice.
  • There is improved self-discipline/attendance/performance at home and in school for participating youth.
  • Marketable work skills are acquired by participating youth.
  • Participants become more self-assured and begin holding informal leadership roles in their peer group.

Summary of the Performance Measure Data Collected:

N/A

Economics of Policing Pillars:

Further Details:

Benefits:

  • ongoing improvement in police–youth and police–community relations;
  • long-term reduction in criminal gang participation; and
  • improved communications and mobilization of community resources outside of the police service.

Additional Comments or Suggestions:

N/A

Record Entry Date:

2013-08-01

Date modified: