Students Spend Summer Serving with Police

For four Greater Toronto Area students, this summer's Toronto Police Service Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI) is far more than a seasonal job. It is an opportunity to gain firsthand experience, develop life skills and explore careers dedicated to serving their communities.

Although they come from different backgrounds and have different long-term ambitions, the students share a common goal, and that is making a positive difference through policing.

Eighteen-year-old Mahjabin Orthi, who recently graduated from Birchmount Collegiate Institute and will begin studying mechatronics engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University this fall, views the program as a chance to experience policing from the inside.

“I want some experience and to learn how the life of a police officer is,” Orthi said. “You can't learn those things through Google or AI. I want hands-on experience.”

Originally from Bangladesh, she arrived in Canada just two-and-a-half years ago and learned about the YIPI program through a friend before researching it on the TPS website.

Engineering remains her first career choice, but policing is a close second.

Orthi also hopes to challenge stereotypes about women in law enforcement.

“In Bangladesh, it's very rare to see female police officers,” she said. “People think women can't do that job. I want to prove that if you have the ability, you can do anything you want.”

Caleb Thorpe, who will enter Grade 11 at Western Technical-Commercial School, has wanted to become a police officer for several years.

He was encouraged to apply after sharing his career aspirations with the former principal of his elementary school.

“I find it a good thing to help people and give back to the community,” he said.

Thorpe said was also inspired as a child when he met former Chief Mark Saunders during a visit to police headquarters.

Beyond learning about policing, he hopes YIPI will help him develop important personal skills.

“I want to learn life skills and experience the workforce,” he said. “I also want to become more responsible.”

Omed Popal, 17, is already mapping out a career in policing.

The Birchmount Collegiate graduate plans to study Police Foundations at Seneca Polytechnic before transferring to York University to complete an honours degree in criminology. He also hopes to compete in cross-country at Seneca and track and field at York.

Popal’s interest in policing goes back to childhood when he began seeing police on animated TV shows.

“As I got older, I realized every day in policing is different. You're dealing with different people, different situations and different outcomes. That's what I like.”

Like the others, recent Bayside Secondary School graduate Hafia Arfan sees YIPI as a valuable stepping stone.

She will attend Ontario Tech University to study business technology management before pursuing a master's degree in criminology.

Business provides a backup plan, but policing remains her ultimate ambition.

“My family always told me I have the instincts to be a police officer,” she said. “Eventually I decided to take it seriously.”

She believes her interest may run in the family.

“My dad's side has policing, and my mom's side has military service,” she said. “I guess it's in my blood.”

Arfan hopes the program will introduce her to both civilian and sworn policing careers.

“I am hoping to look for an administration job in policing or become a police officer,” she said.

Addressing the participants on July 2 at the TPS College, Inspector Brian Urkosky reminded them that they earned a unique opportunity to gain firsthand experience with the Service while exploring future career possibilities.

“I really enjoy and value the program,” he said. “I think it's a really excellent opportunity for each of you to get a little bit of an insight into what the Toronto Police Service has to offer in the future.”

Urkosky encouraged the participants to make the most of every assignment and community placement, saying they would experience many different aspects of policing and meet people from all walks of life.

“If you have that opportunity, embrace it,” he said. “Hopefully you will get to go out and attend some community events with our neighbourhood community officers.”

A total of 165 teenagers are enrolled in this summer’s YIPI program.

Since its inception 20 years ago, 4,561 youths have completed the program, and 49 are TPS members.

Established with the assistance of former provincial government Minister Mary Anne Chambers, the program serves high school and university students aged 15 to 18 who come from City of Toronto-designated Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and often struggle to find summer employment.

Earning $17.25 an hour, the YIPI students are embedded within the Service’s 16 Divisions and many support units, working alongside both uniform and civilian members.

The Toronto Police Service Board (TPSB) has supported the program from its inception.

Learn more about the Youth in Policing Initiative and programs throughout the year.