Ideally, when a young person first comes into contact with a police officer, the experience is a positive one that jump-starts a relationship of trust. This isn't always the case but, more and more, police are seeking ways to engage with youth at an earlier age and intervene before criminal activity becomes more serious or a life-long pattern.
In this issue on youth and young offenders, we look at the ways in which the RCMP, other police agencies and community partners get involved in the lives of young people to reduce the number of situations requiring enforcement and get youth the support they need as quickly as possible.
For our cover story, Deidre Seiden speaks to RCMP officers and their community partners in three provinces about youth programs designed to identify and engage young people who may be headed down the wrong path. She also interviews a former gang member from British Columbia, Jordan Buna, about his new life speaking to school kids about making the right choices. And when he speaks, they listen.
Also in our cover section, Sigrid Forberg talks to police and health partners in New Brunswick about ACCESS, a research project that strives to identify youth with mental health problems and make sure they don't slip through the cracks. Sigrid also writes about the RCMP's Terrorism Prevention Program, a tool that trains police to better identify those at risk of radicalization to violence — often youth and young adults — and provide support to divert them away from violent ideologies.
In Winnipeg, Man., Dr. Carolyn Snider runs a pilot program reaching out to youth who come into the emergency department with injuries due to violence, and connects them with social workers. Snider says the program, which also involves the Winnipeg Police Service, aims to break the cycle of violence. And so far, the results are very encouraging.
Natasha Boojihawon in Greater Manchester, U.K., describes the Girls in Gangs project, a resource aimed at young people, teachers and youth workers to raise awareness about gangs. Students work with local police and a media arts company to develop their own drama piece and produce a documentary about the risks of gang involvement and violence against girls.
In Chicago, Ill., police who are trained in crisis intervention can now take a course specific to youth in crisis. The training makes officers aware of mental illness among young people and gives them de-escalation tools.
And the City of Gatineau in collaboration with Gatineau Police has developed a three-pronged program to discourage youth-driven graffiti across the city. The program involves graffiti prevention, cleanup and painting only on sanctioned walls. Importantly, the number of complaints about graffiti has been cut in half since the program was launched.
Finally, we encourage you to read our panel discussion in which participants share their thoughts about the biggest social problems facing youth in their own communities. Their responses are honest and thought provoking.
We hope this issue provides some good ideas about being involved in youth prevention and diversion programs as early as possible, and about getting the targeted training and awareness that police need to deal with challenging situations involving young people.