Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award 2008

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Narrator:

On the move. Pushing boundaries. Redefining our world as they define theirs. They are Canada’s young people. Can police connect with this unique and diverse group of people? You bet! Most cops know that young people can be one of the most challenging group they deal with. It’s a tough job.

And while it’s true that youth need to be held accountable, many of them also benefit from some guidance. Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act recognizes the need for new approaches to young people and the legal system. It has created new opportunities for law enforcement outside of the formal court process. Opportunities for changes in attitudes and approaches. Opportunities for innovation and creativity. Opportunities to make lasting impacts in the lives of the young people they serve. These contributions can not be underestimated.

All across Canada, in rural communities, towns and cities, police officers have answered the call, and are helping young people make smarter choices, create better lives and build stronger communities. In the process they are making new connections with their communities. They are creating profound impacts and leaving lasting impressions.

They are truly making a difference.

Narrator:

The Department of Justice in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police presents the Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Awards. The recipient of the 2008 Certificate of Distinction is Detective Deborah Knight of the Durham Regional Police service for her work with the "Youth in Action Program".

Sherry Whiteway
Deputy Chief Durham Regional Police:

"Detective Constable Knight has the energy, the passion, to pull almost anything off. Her commitment is unbelievable. She was selected as our Regional Youth Coordinator for a reason and she hasn't let us down."

Narrator:

The "Youth in Action" program allows youth in low income housing developments at risk of becoming in conflict with the law to connect with their local police force in a positive and productive manner. But this wasn't always the way, at least not for Detective Constable Knight.

Detective Constable Deborah Knight:

"I kept arresting the same youth over and over and over again for petty crimes. In one of my arrests I actually said to him what's the story? Why are you always doing these petty crimes? And he said, "Well, my Dad was an alcoholic, my mom was an alcoholic, she couldn't pay the rent or hold a job, she wasn't very organized, didn't keep records...So I don't have a birth certificate. if I don't have a birth certificate and I don't have a social insurance card, if I don't have a social insurance card, I can't get a job; so I steal to survive. I've been on the streets since I was twelve. So I eventually got him a birth certificate, and it was kind of one of those pivotal points for myself in my career realizing that it can be some very small deed that a police officer can do, to take some time with some of these kids and try and figure out if there's anything we can put into place; a service we can attach them to that could help them out."

Narrator:

And so, "Youth in Action" was established in 2008. Due to the dedication of Detective Constable Knight who took the initiative to create a collaborative effort between the Durham Regional Police Service, the Region of Durham Social Services and Durham District School Board of Continuing Education to provide a fresh start for young people.

Penny Contreras
Community Developer/Social Services:

"As the project came together, it became really evident that this was an inspiration for so many things. We had parents showing up wanting to do upgrading, we had older siblings saying how do I get  back into school? So in total, even though there were only eighteen kids that graduated from the class, there were eight additional people who wouldn't have even have contemplated going back to school."

Narrator:

The "Youth in Action" program doubles as a Grade Eleven Credit Leadership course and has led to young people re-enlisting in the school system. Therein, allowing family, friends and community leaders to contribute and share in the success of young people trying to make a difference in their lives.

Dr. Hugh Drouin
Commissioner/Social Service Dept:

"I think many of the projects that we got involved with succeed, but this, this is stellar in the sense that it's extremely innovative. I would rate it as an A plus plus. Of course Debbie Knight has been instrumental in doing this and creating this synergy."

Narrator:

It's all about young people understanding themselves, their role and their impact on the future of their community.

Michel Reid
Durham Educational Board:

"All I can say is that Deb Knight has been an incredible person to work with. She is so hard working, so knowledgeable, and so committed to what she does for the youth that I know this program wouldn't be here without her and the other partner Penny Degraras."

Narrator:

Detective Constable Knight's extraordinary efforts have had a positive impact on the lives of countless young people in the Durham Region, as she continues to play an important role as the "Youth in Action" program expands.

Detective Constable Deborah Knight:

 "I've always had a good rapport with youth, and giving them some sort of self-esteem or building them to gain a credit for a lot of these kids was huge. They've been disengaged from the schools system and they needed to get back in and start developing who they were and then what can I give back to the community."

Narrator:

The recipient of the 2008 Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award is Corporal James Cooley, RCMP "E" Division.

The Kamloops Region, often called the Thompson-Nicola, lies in the heart of British Columbia Southern Interior.

In 2002, the RCMP opened a new rural detachment in Kamloops, renaming it in the Shuswap First Nation language, T'Kumlups (pronounced like Kamloops).

It is from here that Corporal James Cooley travels British Columbia promoting the benefits of Restorative Justice by providing individuals and organizations with the means to establish Restorative Justice Programs in their jurisdictions.

Corporal James Cooley:

 "One of the biggest things that I came across, a lot of the smaller communities that I worked in, they expected the police and the courts to deal with youth issues especially behavior. You know, there were violations of laws. In my meetings with them Id sit down with them and say well have past policemen, and have the past experiences with court, have they resolved your issues?"

Narrator:

Since 1998 Corporal Cooley has trained over 1000 facilitators, as a mentor and facilitator in "Community Justice Forums".Due to his outstanding voluntary effort to galvanize the Restorative Justice movement within the province, Corporal Cooley was a natural choice to become RCMP "E" Division's new "Restorative Justice Program Director" in 2003.

Corporal James Cooley:

 "You know my career started in small communities , so very early I learned that listening to communities , listening to people, voice their concerns, especially to me a police officer, that youth, there needs to be something more that we can do with youth  rather than just responding to crime or fighting and dealing with them through the court. "

Inspector Terry Kopan
RCMP "E" Division:

 "He has the kind of character and abilities to be able to draw people in and talk with them and get them to understand the significance and the importance of restorative justice.

Narrator:

Between 2005 and 2007 the number of Restorative Justice Programs in British Columbia expanded from 90 to 141, including 25 Aboriginal Communities. In 2007 alone it is estimated that over 4000 restorative justice interventions occurred, a majority of which involved youth.

The Shuswap First Nations Community is one such example of the Restorative Justice Program: This committee is comprised of Aboriginal people from Kamloops and the surrounding area.

Evelyn Camillie
Community Justice Program:

 "He is part of the youth, and the youth accept him, as part of their group. They don't run and hide anymore. The cop coming, no. Jim is here. And the youth are out there showing great respect for him. "

Edith Fortier
Aboriginal Justice Coordinator:

We've been working with the schools so that we reduce recidivism and there's not as many suspensions in the schools, and it helps principals, teachers, and the students understand what happens when a person is a victim, and it helps them repair the harm. "

Narrator:

Over the years, across vast territories and countless miles traveled, Corporal Cooley has never lost sight of his firm conviction that helping young people, from all walks of life, to better understand the impact of their actions, begins with the involvement of parents, families and communities in the justice system.

Inspector Terry Kopan
RCMP "E" Division:

"This award means a great deal, to Jim Cooley I'm sure, but from the RCMP perspective, certainly from British Columbia and nationally, it's a great honor for one of our members to be recognized.

Corporal James Cooley:

"Really when I look at this award, I think of those one hundred and forty plus programs that are doing this today here in British Columbia and I've got to really take my hat off to them, in the efforts that we put together and even the RCMP to support this for as long as they've done, and in itself that is a great, should be recognized also."

Narrator:

To the winners… and to every police officer across Canada who makes a difference…
Thank you for what you do.

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