Summer Jobs With Police

Over 150 students were welcomed to work with Toronto Police members over the summer as the year’s Youth In Policing Summer Initiative kicked off.

“You are society’s future leaders, thinkers and change-makers and you can make a difference,” Chief Myron Demkiw told them on July 2 at the Police College. “I want to emphasize how vitally important it is for you to recognize that your voices matter. Your experiences, your fears and your hopes are all powerful catalysts for change.”

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

Earning $16.55 an hour, the Youth In Policing Initiative (YIPI) students are embedded within the Service’s 16 Divisions and many support units, working alongside both uniform and civilian members.

The program has paid dividends for the Service as 41 graduates are TPS employees, 25 of them as police officers.

“We are incredibly proud of this,” Demkiw noted. “While this program benefits these students, it also benefits Toronto Police Service. It gives us an opportunity to interact with and learn from you and it can increase our understanding of each other’s perspectives to help bridge the gap that sometimes exists between young people and the police.”

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

“We believe that this program has countless benefits for the young people involved, the Toronto Police Service and for our city,” said Acting Executive Director Danielle Dowdy. “The pioneering YIPI program is one part of a comprehensive, dynamic and evolving Board and Service strategy for enhancing safety in our communities. It reflects the Board’s recognition of the importance of using wide-ranging and significant preventative measures alongside traditional law enforcement in dealing with issues of crime prevention, community safety and engagement in our city.

“At the same time, by recognizing and supporting the strengths of youth, this program helps to build future leaders in neighbourhoods across Toronto. It gives our officers and civilian members a unique opportunity to interact with young people and to learn first-hand about their lives, realities, hopes and aspirations.”

The application process was very competitive as there were 925 young people competing for the summer internship with Canada’s largest municipal police service.

“As our YIPI students, you will take on meaningful work during the summer, work that develops important employment and life skills, while fostering hope and pride among our young people,” added Dowdy who was the program’s first coordinator.  “You will visit a number of Toronto Police Service facilities and participate in various fun and exciting community events, making powerful connections with the public. The benefits of the YIPI program are many. The opportunity to work in the Toronto Police Service for an extended period of time provides young people with direct knowledge of our organization and encourages them to consider policing as a career.”

Ontario’s Solicitor General Michael Kerzner told the new YIPIs they will have a front row seat to policing in the next six weeks.

“You will see first-hand just how important policing is,” he said. “When we have safe communities, we have everything… Our public safety matters.”

At age eight, Jaizel Gonzalez dressed up as a police officer for Halloween.

“I knew then that I wanted to be a Toronto Police officer,” the 17-year-old York Memorial Collegiate Institute student said. “It is a job that people look up to and I can help community members. I have always had positive interactions with police officers who made me feel good and respected.”

Piali Roy, 18, learned about the YIPI program through her Guidance Counsellor at Wexford Collegiate Institute where she graduated.

“This is an opportunity for me to learn a little bit more about what the police do and what it means to work with a team,” said the teenager who is pursuing Electrical Engineering Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University. “I have also had positive interactions with Toronto Police while attending another school and that was another impetus for me to want to know more about the organization and its people.”

YIPI graduates shared their experiences with the incoming cohort.

Constable Adam Holness, who graduated from West Hill Collegiate Institute and completed York University Humanities program, returned to the YIPI program in 2020 to serve for two years as a program assistant.

With Radway and Brenden McDonald, they developed the first YIPI virtual program during COVID-19.

Constable Holness is assigned to 33 Division where he was a YIPI 11 years ago.

“You only have one chance to be a YIPI, so make the most of it,” he told the students. “Your summer will go by quickly, so seize every opportunity and maximize it. Be prepared and eager to learn, punctuality is crucial, be respectful to everyone, be open to coaching, take on challenges, don’t hesitate to ask questions and make connections.”

Eknor Singh Badwal, who is following the footsteps of his brother who became a uniform member last year, was assigned to the Mounted Unit as a YIPI in 2017.

“To this day, that placement is one of the greatest experiences I have ever had,” said the cadet in training, who receives his badge as a new police constable on August 22. “I gained many skills, I learned the value of hard work and helping others. One thing I found surprising during my summer internship was that I was not micro-managed. I was 16 years old at the time walking around secured Toronto Police facilities. I was trusted at doing my job.”

Ontario’s Associate Minister with responsibility for Women’s Social & Economic Opportunity Charmaine Williams and Etobicoke-Lakeshore Member of Provincial Parliament Christine Hogarth attended the YIPI launch.

“To see more participants become Constables and just become accomplished young people warms my heart because I know that is going to be your future,” said Williams.

Hogarth has high hopes that the participants will make a difference.

“This is an important step,” she pointed out. “Take advantage of everything you learn.”

This year’s participants took part in several activities, including the Toronto Police Amateur Athletic Association Children Playground Games, Rookie Ball and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.

In 2008, the program was permanently incorporated into the Ontario government’s list of youth programs. A year later, the Ministry of Children & Youth Services expanded its funding to the program to accommodate a 50% increase in hires.

A YIPI after-school winter program was established 11 years ago.

Learn more about the program on the Youth In Policining Initiative webpage.