Special Olympics Basketball Tournament

On Saturday, February 10th, DRPS' Youth in Policing (YIP) Initiative hosted its annual basketball tournament in partnership with the Special Olympics!

This tournament aimed to introduce young athletes of varying abilities in  Durham Region to basketball while fostering teamwork through various activities. The athletes spent the day alongside YIP students, DRPS officers, and DRPS auxiliary officers, Playing basketball and talking about how to make a positive impact on their communities.

There were more than 140 attendees, including 18 athletes, their families, DRPS members, and the YIP team.  Deputy Chief Christopher Kirkpatrick and Inspector James Lamothe, kicked off the tournament with welcoming remarks which were followed by rotations of basketball games, drills, and activities. Athletes also had an opportunity to learn from D/Cst. Elkington and Police Service Dog Kaos from DRPS' Canine Unit, as well as D/Cst. Hallas from Forensic Investigative Services! The day ended with a final basketball game between the top two teams and an award ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the athletes.

Thank you to all who attended and gave their time to cheer on and participate in this  event. The basketball tournament brought the community together, offering a memorable experience for all who participated. A special thank you for the hard work of the YIP team, who made this event a success. The YIP Team cannot wait to see you at their next basketball tournament in 2025!

Youth in Policing is currently accepting applications for the 2024 Summer Initiative! Check out www.drps.ca./yip for more information, email them at youthinpolicing@drps.ca, or visit their social media accounts @drps_yip.