Added: Aug 20, 2008
From: 222TIPSCommunity
Duration: 2:26
YiPi Student from the Crime Stoppers office in Toronto sings 'O Canada' at the 2008 graduation ceremony at Queen's Park, Toronto, ON, Canada
The Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI) got a cash infusion as the province announced extended funding for the popular summer employment program.
Each summer, for the past two years, 100 students, from ages 14-17, get to work alongside officers and civilians in all units of the Service, from divisions to specialized units, such as the Marine Unit and Forensic Identification Services.
Chief Bill Blair said youngsters from the city's priority `neighbourhoods are hired to give them opportunity, hope and the pride that comes with an honest day's work.
"Young people need opportunity and hope," Chief Blair said, of the program that pays $10.90 an hour.
"And we know with that opportunity, they'll be successful."
The Chief said that there was some scepticism that the YIPI program would not fare well because of the natural animosity between some of today's youth and police. But, after announcing the program three years ago, 1,000 applications poured in for 100 summer jobs.
He said youth have seen the opportunities in policing, learned new skills and made new friends in the TPS. Almost half of the participants have considered policing as a career while 30% of them have considered returning as volunteers.
"So many changed their attitudes toward police," the Chief said. "It had an equal impact on police officers. They found new ways to communicate and relate to young people."
Former YIPI student Ahmed Ibrahim, 19, is a police foundations student at Centennial College because of his summer stint at 54 Division.
"It inspired me to pursue a career with the Toronto Police Service and understand the responsibilities I'll take on every day as a police officer," Ibrahim said.
The provincial government announced over $5 million in funding to find summer jobs for 850 teens from low-income neighbourhoods.
Ontario's Youth Opportunity Strategy created over 1,700 summer jobs from Ottawa to Toronto to Thunder Bay.
Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews said kids get opportunity, not just a job.
"These are much more than summer jobs," said Matthews. "We're giving these young people the chance to make a positive contribution to their communities and the opportunity to explore options for their future."
For more information on government youth services, go to http://youthconnect.ca
To leave an anonymous tip to help prevent a crime, help solve a crime, or locate a missing person in Toronto:
Phone: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
Online: http://222tips.com
Text: TIP312 and your message to CRIMES
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