Building Community-Focused Leaders

A total of 63 youth from the city’s designated Neighbourhood Improvement Areas completed the Toronto Police Service Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI) Fall program.

“The skills you’ve gained during your time with us will benefit you throughout your lives,” Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue said at the graduation ceremony on December 7 at the Toronto Police College. “We see you as the leaders of tomorrow, no matter which path you choose to follow, including perhaps a future as police officers.”

There were 475 applicants for spots for the 17-week hybrid program.

“Since August, you all worked very hard,” Pogue said. “You did research and presentations and you participated in key community programs, events and partnerships. You gained valuable experience and you learned more about the various communities in our cities. And because of you, we, police officers, learned more about young people's concerns, hopes and dreams today.”

Pogue thanked Program Coordinator Melva Radway and her team along with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and other partners for their support.

“The Youth in Policing Initiative is an excellent example of how we make change happen and build relationships with our communities,” she added.

The Toronto Police Service currently employs many YIPI program graduates, including 26 police officers and 12 civilians.

“The YIPI Program is a very special initiative,” said Toronto Police Service Board Vice-Chair Lisa Kostakis. “In this dynamic and inspiring program, the opportunity to learn and grow is mutual. Not only do young people gain exposure to the world of policing, but our Service Members too have the opportunity to learn from youth, to hear from the future leaders in our community, to understand their unique ideas, their interesting insights and their hopes for what they want to see in the future.

“Trust between the police and the public – and in particular, our young people - is essential and we know that there have been challenges in this area recently. Programs like this one remind us of our similarities, our common goals and our ability to work together effectively, for the good of the community.”

The valedictorians were Nilakshi Kiritharan, Diana Storozhenko, Zartashia Ahmed and Krisha Desai.

“One of the biggest things I have taken away from this program is how powerful communication really is,” said Kiritharan. “Whether it is between officers and the community or between peers working on a project together, communication is the key to solving problems. Before this program, I thought the relationship between youth and police was always strained. I mean, we have all seen enough cop movies to know how it goes - there is usually a chase scene involved. Nevertheless, over the past few months, I have seen how much we can learn from each other. We have had deep and meaningful conversations about how to improve our neighbourhoods, and we have worked side by side to make positive changes.”

Storozhenko was the recipient of the Most Valuable Student Award.

“Just a year ago, I thought I wanted to be an animator, but I wasn’t completely sure,” the Ukrainian-born student said. “This program has helped me explore my interests to become a part of the police community. That future excites me. I’m so glad I got to experience all this and I feel prepared to face whatever comes next.”

For bringing new ideas to projects and discussions, Ahmed was rewarded with the Creativity Award.

“When we first joined the YIPI program, we were a diverse group of individuals, each with our own stories, dreams, and uncertainties,” she said. “Today, we stand united, bound by the shared experiences that have shaped us into confident, skilled, and community-focused young leaders.”

Desai didn’t know what to expect when she joined the program last August.

“What I found was far beyond anything I could have imagined, from volunteering at food banks where I met some lovely people and assisting at charities and bringing warm smiles to the faces of families,” she said. “I witnessed first-hand the power of giving back and connecting with people in our community. These experiences have been inspiring, reminding us of the profound difference we can make when we lend a helping hand.”

During the after-school program, the youths worked six hours weekly and did mandatory training once monthly.

Applications are being accepted until January 31, 2025 for the Summer program. Visit the Youth in Policing Initiative webpage for more information.