Youth Engagement | Peel Regional Police

Youth Engagement Strategy

The Youth Engagement Strategy will guide Peel Regional Police’s involvement with youth in the Region of Peel over the coming years. It provides a number of high-level actions that will be carried out in consultation with community partners and youth, including establishing a youth mentorship program, providing training opportunities for Peel Regional Police members to better engage with youth, and strengthening support to youth affected by hate and bias.

The strategy builds on our community safety and well being framework, as well as several existing programs and initiatives geared towards positive youth engagement.

Real Talks Peel: Path to Youth Engagement

A community-based research project about youth safety and engagement with police in Peel Region commissioned by Peel Regional Police to assist in the development of the Youth Engagement Strategy.

View the Youth Engagement Strategy document View the Real Talks Peel document

Who They Are and What They Do

Youth Engagement Officers

Youth Engagement Officers are Peel Police officers within the Youth Services Unit and serve as part of larger Youth Engagement teams. Their focus and mandate are youth-first, not enforcement.

Police officer interacting with youth

The Youth Engagement Officers receive specialized training to:

Build trust through presence and showing up for youth, parents and caregivers and youth-focused organizations
Support youth, identify their unique needs and bring a tailored response
Connect youth to the community services they need
Educate young people, parents, caregivers, youth organizations in safety/crime prevention/awareness

Youth Engagement Officer presence in the community, including schools

Youth Engagement Officers will be in the community wherever youth are. That might look like designing programs alongside community organizations, youth and families. These specially-trained officers will continue to maintain strong relationships with local school boards and are often invited into local schools to make community-relevant presentations or attend events.

Peel Regional Police does not have a Student Resource Officer (SRO) Program. Should a future SRO Program be explored, it will be structured in a manner that upholds the requirements of the Human Rights Project and commitments in the Ontario Human Rights Committee (OHRC) agreement. The Youth Engagement Officer mandate and training was designed using Human Rights Project recommendations.

Learn more

Youth with Peel Police leaders at press conference

Youth Programs

Peel Regional Police offers youth programs for ages 10–18 that build leadership, confidence and community involvement. From summer jobs through the Youth in Policing Initiative to year‑round learning in the COPS Cadet and Junior Police Cadet programs, young people gain hands‑on experience, mentorship and pathways toward future education and careers.

Engaging Early, Intervening Sooner and Preventing Youth Crime

Professional team in front of Peel Police sign

Human Rights Project

The Human Rights Project is a collaborative undertaking by Peel Regional Police with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and the Peel Police Service Board to examine and address existing and longstanding discriminatory practices within the service.

Community Safety and Well-Being

Community safety information from Peel Regional Police, including crime prevention, safety tips, awareness programs, resources and support for residents.

Ontario, Canada, Peel Regional Police flag flying in the wind

Courses and Seminars

Information on available courses and seminars, including crime prevention, safety training, awareness sessions and programs for residents, youth and businesses.

Peel Children's Safety Village

The Peel Children’s Safety Village is an educational centre where students in Grades 1–3 and 5 can practice and apply the safety rules they learn at home and at school.

Teenage Girl Using Mobile Phone In Bedroom

Child and Teen Safety

Safety tips and resources for children and teens in Peel Region, covering bicycle safety, bullying, street-proofing, online safety, drug awareness, and human trafficking risks for families and schools.