Summer Students, Parents, Government Officials and Police launch the 5th Annual Youth in Policing Initiative (YiPi Program) at Toronto Police Service Headquarters in Toronto July 5, 2010
TPS Web Story by Ron Fanfair
Reminding them that they represent the best of the future, Chief Bill Blair welcomed 150 high school students into the policing fold, as part of this summer's Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI).
In its fifth year, the program provides young people between the ages of 14 and 17 with learning access to various units across the Service, including Forensic Identification Services, Traffic Services, Information Technology Services and the Community Mobilization Unit.
"This is one of our most important programs, Chief Blair told the youngsters.
"By putting on that blue shirt, you have made a commitment to our city, our Service and yourself, and I want you to live up to that commitment. I want you to work hard, I want you to learn and I also want you to build relationships with us and with each other. We have seen that young people who have had this experience go back into their communities different than when they came to us," he said.
"They go back as leaders and they go back with a new commitment to their communities and to themselves."
The Chief said the YIPI project offers the police an opportunity to build a different relationship with young people.
"We want you to learn from this work experience," he added. "But I can also promise you that we will learn from our exposure to you. Your presence in our Service transforms our organization to build a new relationship between the men and women who have sworn to serve communities and our civilians who support that important work," Chief Blair said.
"It gives us an opportunity to get to know the youth of our city, to get to know your perspectives, your aspirations, how you want your city to be, so that we will have the opportunity to learn from you as you learn from us."
Two years ago, the provincial government announced the initiative would be permanently incorporated in its list of youth programs and, last year, the ministry increased its funding to the program to accommodate a 50% increase in hires, allowing the TPS to hire 150 students at $10.90 an hour.
This year's program ends on August 27.
"I believe the opportunity to work within this organization for an extended period of time increases the sense of respect for a police service among our young people and encourages them to consider policing as a career," said Toronto Police Services Board chair Alok Mukherjee.
"By recognizing and supporting the strength of our youth, this program helps to build future leaders in neighbourhoods across Toronto. It gives our officers a unique opportunity to interact with young people and learn first-hand about their lives, realities, hopes and aspirations."
Toronto Centre Liberal Member of Provincial Parliament Glen Murray and former Ontario Cabinet Minister Mary Anne Chambers also addressed the teens.
Soon after becoming Chief in 2005, Chief Blair suggested that the organization employ 20 young people. There were, however, no funds. With its financial resources stretched to the limit, the Chief turned to then-incoming Deputy Chief Keith Forde for suggestions as to where funding could be accessed for such a project.
Forde and Mukherjee approached Chambers, who was then Minister of Children and Youth Services, who was, at the time, formulating a government strategy to address youth needs, including a Youth in Policing initiative.
"For every one of you, there are at least 10 disappointed young people out there because they did not get into the program here," Chambers pointed out.
She also used the opportunity to pay tribute to Forde, who retires at the end of August after 38 years service.
"He's a pioneer and I want you to all see in him what is possible, what is progressive and what must help to define our city for the greatness that it is," she added.
Last year's participant Sabrina Iduktaye told the incoming batch of summer workers that the program opened many doors for her. The 17-year-old Madonna Catholic Secondary School student plans on becoming a lawyer.
For the first time this year, YIPI participants will take part in the Toronto Community Housing Community Safety Unit (CSU) pilot project aimed at developing a cadet program.
CSU officials Terry Skelton, Geoff Morgan and Gurmeet Singh attended the YIPI opening ceremony where Grade 10 student Alex Mathews, who has been singing opera with the Canadian Children's Opera Company for the past nine years, sang the national anthem.
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Youth In Policing Promo Part 2.wmvby durhampolice11,004 views
I finished the YIPI program in Ottawa a few days ago.You guys have so many people compared to us.We only have 45 ppl
Craizormon 1 year ago