Youth In Policing Initiative

What is Youth in Policing?

The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) Youth in Policing (YIP) Initiative is a paid employment and personal development opportunity for youth ages 15-18. The program has been running since 2006 in partnership with Ontario's Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

Each year, YIP employs more than 180 students from across Durham Region. As employees of the DRPS, youth engage in hands-on learning experiences that emphasize the importance of leadership, teamwork, and community engagement. YIP aims to empower others to make positive changes within their communities, personal lives, and the lives of others.

Through the Youth in Policing Initiative, students can build self-confidence allowing them to make a difference within themselves and extending to their communities with the aim to collectively make a ripple effect of positive change.

Our Mission

We want all students to be U.N.I.T.E.D.

• Understand and appreciate diversity

• Navigate their future through setting personal and professional goals

• Involve themselves as leaders in the community

• Think and reflect globally

• Empower others to be ambassadors of change

• Discover policing beyond the uniform

Equity and Inclusion

YIP is dedicated to representing the communities we operate in. We acknowledge that the area we serve has long been a site of meeting and exchange among the Mississaugas Peoples and is the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. We honour, recognize and respect this nation and Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of the lands and waters on which our police service operates. For more on Equity and Inclusion, visit their DRPS Webpage.

Youth in Policing (YIP) runs two separate initiatives a year. Each initiative is designed to give a unique experience to Durham youth while maintaining the vision and values of the program.

Summer Initiative

The Summer Initiative was founded in 2006. Employment typically commences on the first week of July to the last week of August (8 weeks), working Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4pm and Fridays from 9am to 1pm (32 hours per week). Approximately 100 Students and 10 Team Leaders are hired for the Summer Initiative and members typically work out of the Durham College / Ontario Tech University campus.

Winter Initiative

The Winter Initiative was founded in 2012 takes place throughout the school year. Employment typically commences on the last week of November to the last week of March (14 working weeks), working Wednesdays 5pm to 8pm, and Saturdays 9am to 5pm (11 hours per week). The Winter Initiative follows the same break schedule of the Durham District School Board for winter and spring break; Students do not get exam week off. Approximately 80 Students and 8 Team Leaders are hired for the Winter Initiative and members typically work out of the Durham College / Ontario Tech University campus.

Summer Student Positions (non-YIP)

If you are a post-secondary student and do not meet the eligibility criteria for YIP (listed below in "Eligibility Criteria" section), then you can consider applying for one of the numerous Summer Student positions offered by the DRPS! Information about these positions can be found on the job posting when they go live at recruitdrps.durham.ca. Please note these positions are external to YIP and any questions should be directed to recruiting@drps.ca.

Through Youth in Policing (YIP), students can build self-confidence allowing them to make a difference within themselves and extending to their communities with the aim to collectively make a ripple effect of positive change.

What to Expect

• Approximately 100 participants between the ages 15-18
• Giving students an insight into policing who previously have had little to no exposure
• Engagement with the community and different organizations
• Fast-paced, hands-on learning environment

Certificates & Training

• Standard First Aid, CPR C, & AED Training
• Worker Health & Safety Training
• Leadership Training
• Diversity & Bias Awareness Training

Cooperative Education

Students are eligible to receive cooperative education and leadership credits through their participation in YIP! Students are eligible to receive up to one (1) credit during the Winter Initiative and up to two (2) credits during the Summer Initiative. These are grade eleven (11) open credits provided through Durham Continuing Education. The cooperative education credits are a mandatory component of YIP; Students cannot opt out. There is no prior work needed to be done by applicants in order to be eligible for the credits with their schools. Durham Continuing Education staff will walk Students through the process after they have received their offers for employment.

Community Outreach

As a member of YIP, Students will have the opportunity to participate in community driven events and initiatives. These include community presentations, workshops, fundraisers, and more! While being a member of YIP cannot earn you volunteer hours, there are countless exclusive opportunities that the program can expose to Students to in order to earn volunteer placements and hours.

Police Service Exposure

In addition to the community work and personal development done through YIP, Students have the opportunity to learn about the various areas of policing. Students have the unique opportunity of completing an oath of secrecy, that allows them to hear a far broader range of information regarding police work. YIP gets visits from numerous officers and units visit to share what they do in the community. Not interested in policing? No problem! YIP is open to all members of the community, regardless of their interests or desired career paths.

The following is the criteria that must be met in order to be able to participate in the programs. You may only be a Student once; you may be considered to be a Team Leader multiple times.

Student

• Be between the ages of 15-18*
• Have never been previously hired for the DRPS Youth in Policing Initiative (for any amount of time)
• Reside in the Regional Municipality of Durham
• Currently enrolled in secondary school
• Be returning to secondary or post-secondary school in upcoming school year
• Be responsible for transportation to and from work locations
• Legally eligible to work in Canada
• SUMMER ONLY: Candidates cannot participate in any other credit program(s) during the summer initiative regardless of the mode of delivery within the Durham District School Board (Summer Initiative only)
• You must be available for the entire length of the program
• Must not have any family members employed by a Police Service in Ontario

* You must be between the ages of 15-18 by the first day of employment, which is stated on the job posting when applications are live.

Team Leader

• Be a graduate of the DRPS Youth in Policing Initiative*
• Reside in the Regional Municipality of Durham
• Currently enrolled in secondary school or post-secondary school
• Be returning to secondary or post-secondary school in upcoming school year
• Be responsible for transportation to and from work locations
• Legally eligible to work in Canada
• You must be available for the entire length of the program

* Being a graduate means you were employed by the Youth in Policing Initiative and completed the program. Participating in the Junior Youth in Policing Camp or any other community initiatives are NOT considered Student positions with YIP.

Police Service Liaison

S/Sgt. Mark, Cst. Christina and Aaron

The DRPS Equity and Inclusion team is committed to building a police service that reflects the diversity of the Durham Region and ensures all individuals feel respected, engaged, and safe. Through community partnerships, inclusive practices, and ongoing improvement, the team works to strengthen trust and create a more equitable policing environment. Together, the unit is responsible for managing and sustaining the program. 

Staff Sergeant Mark has 19 years of experience in policing and currently serves as the leader of the DRPS Equity and Inclusion Unit. With a background in various operational, investigative, and administrative roles within the DRPS, he offers a diverse range of perspectives and innovative ideas to the team. S/Sgt. Mark is deeply passionate about engaging with youth and fostering inclusive, supportive environments that promote their growth and development. 

Constable Christina has been a Police Officer since 2010 and has held various frontline and support roles. She is currently a constable in the DRPS Equity and Inclusion Unit, with the goal of creating a more equitable and inclusive Police Service. Christina is passionate about working with youth and community partners to build trusting relationships and promote positive changes.  

Aaron is the DRPS Youth Engagement Coordinator, with more than eight years of experience leading and supporting children and youth-related police initiatives and programs across Durham Region. With a background in criminology, youth justice, and sustainability, he plays a key role in strengthening YIP’s foundation and driving the program's growth. 

Program Coordinators

Jeevika, Hannah, Aditdi and Sohile 

The YIP Program Coordinators play a key leadership role in supporting the program from behind the scenes, working closely within the Communications, Hiring, Operations, and Management portfolios. They collaborate with YIP leaders to ensure that every aspect of the program, from recruitment and scheduling to events and daily logistics, runs smoothly and efficiently. By overseeing portfolio tasks and maintaining strong communication across teams, Coordinators help create a seamless and impactful program experience. 

Jeevika is a committed Program Coordinator in the Operations portfolio, with more than four years of experience since joining as a student in 2021. She emphasizes collaboration, communication, and inclusion to enhance program efficiency, support her team, and foster stronger community connections. 

Hannah has been a dedicated member of YIP for five years, beginning as a student in Winter 2020–21. She leads the Hiring portfolio, working to hire passionate, driven, and diverse youth while strengthening the program’s supportive culture.  

Aditdi started with YIP as a student in Winter 2022–23 and now serves as a Program Coordinator in the Communications portfolio. She focuses on enhancing outreach through compelling communications and building meaningful connections between youth and the community. 

Sohile serves as the YIP Project Coordinator, bringing more than four years of dedicated experience that began when he joined as a YIP student in the summer of 2021. Since then, he has been committed to enhancing the program’s effectiveness and unlocking its full potential. In his current role, Sohile develops strategies to ensure the program’s long-term success and meaningful community impact. 

Supervising Team Leaders

Geeti, Jayden, Christine, Aravind and Sarah 

Together, Geeti, Jayden, Christine, Aravind, and Sarah form a dynamic team of Supervising Team Leaders who bring a diverse range of skills and perspectives to the YIP Program. Their collective efforts contribute to the program's mission of being UNITED. These individuals help mentor the 100 Students and 10 Team Leaders in the many YIP initiatives they facilitate. In this crucial role, they lead the program by ensuring the proper flow of events in day-to-day YIP activities and YIP preparations for impactful programs. Covering all aspects of the program portfolios, such as Communications, Hiring, and Operations, they foster a positive learning environment and ultimately empower the next generation of youth leaders in the community.

Click the link below to download the program reports.

Youth In Policing Reports