Waterloo Regional Police welcome youth to policing initiative

High school student Analis Alonso says a Waterloo Regional Police Service summer employment program for youth has opened her eyes to some of the serious issues in her community.

“I have really enjoyed this program especially getting to see the real reasons why homeless people are homeless. I think that before, I didn’t really know or understand why there were tents outside," said Alonso. "Now, in this program, I see that this may not be the path that people chose. There are many reasons why.

“There’s always a story behind these people. And I shouldn’t judge them. And this program has really opened my eyes to this.”

The WRPS has brought in 12 youths for its eight-week summer employment Youth In Policing Initiative (YIPI).

In its second year, the YIPI program offers youth from Waterloo Region the opportunity to develop valuable life and employment skills, while enhancing police relationships with the diverse communities WRPS serves.

“This program enhances and builds on the relationships between youth and police,” said Cherri Greeno, manager, corporate communications and public Information at WRPS.

Greeno said the program offers students learning opportunities about policing and helps them gain employment skills as well.

“This also shows our police service as an employer of choice,” Greeno said.

“Last year, we held a banquet at the end of the program. Students talked about what they had learned, but we also learn so much from them. It goes both ways. It’s a win-win for all.”

Youth, ages 15 to 18, are assigned work placements throughout the police service, including human resources, investigative services, equity, inclusion, and diversity, strategic services, neighbourhood policing divisions, corporate communications, and the community engagement and well-being branch.

Students rotate between divisions in the region. They learn and assist with daily tasks while also attending training throughout the summer to learn more about the various areas within the police service.

Matteo Williamson from Cambridge has just completed Grade 10 at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School. The 16 year old is excited to take part in the YIPI program and he said the program helps him to see what this career path would look like.

“I am in this program because I have an interest in law enforcement, which is something I want to pursue in the future,” Williamson said.

“I’ve wanted to be a police officer my whole life but only recently, when I heard about this program, did I really consider this seriously.”

Another YIPI student, Hani Dahir from Waterloo, said that the program has much to offer.

“We’ve had tours in downtown Kitchener. We’ve seen how officers interact with homeless people We have seen various organizations that police partner with, such as shelters for women and children and homeless shelters,” Dahir said.

“We also went to food banks and helped with sorting food. Yesterday, we visited some rural areas and we saw Mennonite communities. That was really awesome.”

All students agree that a favourite part of their day is engaging with police officers.

“I like how witty and funny they are,” Williamson said.

Alonso said it is great to see the “nice” side of them.

“Sometimes they might seem scary but getting to sit, talk and laugh with them, it’s different. I think for many people, outside of the police station, they don’t see that side of them. They see more of the strict side of them. But we get to see their day-to-day life. We get to see that they are human,” Alonso said.

“I have always looked up to police officers since I was little. It’s what I want to be. I think police officers should be recognized for all of the good that they do.”

Constable Argeis Kamberi leads the group of Yipi students.

“They have been a wonderful group and have absorbed so much in such a short period of time. Just hearing them say these kinds of things, this very deep and profound knowledge and insight that they gained, I didn’t even know that that would be possible,” Kamberi said.

“It’s very inspiring and it gives you hope. This program really benefits on such a bigger scale than I would have ever imagined.”  

Youth participating in the YIPI program were selected in partnership with various community organizations throughout Waterloo Region.

“We look forward to helping these amazing youth learn valuable life and employment skills while also learning from them,” said John Goodman, acting WRPS chief of Police.

But it’s not all work for the students.

“There are some fun activities such as a basketball game between youth and officers. We want them to have fun,” Greeno said.

“Many of them say that they want to be police officers. We say, see you in five years! And we hope to see them back.”