2021-22 Winter Initiative Youth in Policing Graduation
The Youth in Policing (YIP) Initiative celebrated the conclusion of the 2021-22 Winter Initiative through a virtual graduation to recognize the accomplishments of 68 YIP students over the past 16 weeks.
YIP students were given a customized graduation kit that included: a tote bag, notebook, and much more to create a more interactive and memorable graduation, and made students feel connected and appreciated.
The graduation began with a live-streamed DRPS Heat Band performance by PC Scott Dargie and Shellie Taylor. This was followed by one of the YIP students singing Canada’s National Anthem and with another YIP student providing the Land Acknowledgment. Opening remarks were provided from DRPS Deputy Chief Joe Maiorano, CAO Stan MacLellan, and Police Service Board Chair Bobbie Drew who are continuous supporters and advocates for the program.
To provide a review of the accomplishments made from the 2021-22 Winter Initiative, representatives from the 6 YIP Teams spoke about each of their major events: Operation G.I.V.E., Coldest Night of the Year, IMPACT Youth Forum, Get Up, C.A.N. Conference and Program Media/Graduation. This gave students the opportunity to take pride in the hard work and dedication put forth to make YIP the success it was.
The valedictorians for the Initiative, shared their most memorable moments through their speeches and started the awards portion of the evening with some inspirational words. After, the Future Aces Award was presented by Bernice Carnegie, the co-founder of the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation to two students who embody the values of the foundation. The U.N.I.T.E.D. Award was given to a student who represented the mission statement of YIP. The YIP Award went to a student who most improved. The DRPS Member Appreciation Award was presented to Cst. Melanie Moulton, from the DRPS EI Unit for her unwavering support and assistance during the initiative. The Community Advocacy and Networking Awarded was presented to a Supervising Team Leader for her dedication to enhancing the program. Finally, another student was recognized for her dedication towards leadership during and beyond YIP, with the Chief Todd Rollauer Award for Outstanding Leadership. After the awards, each student was individually spotlighted and was awarded their YIP Graduation Certificates, as well as the 5 certifications they received throughout the 16-week program.
To conclude the evening, students received words of wisdom from a motivational speaker who shared with students how being a YIP alumni himself, allowed him to go forth into the community to become an ambassador of change and inspired our students to do the same.
The Liaison officers of YIP: Acting Staff Sgt. Dena Peden, Cst. Conrad Wong, and Cst. Melanie Moulton addressed the students with congratulatory remarks expressing their pride for the 68 incredible individuals. To top off the evening, the team responsible for program media, shared their 7-minute video recapping the past 16 weeks of the program. The video was nostalgic of the memories formed throughout the winter.
The YIP team is thankful for the 134 attendees who joined us virtually in celebrating the student’s achievements. YIP is grateful to have welcomed the friends, families, DRPS Command Team, Executive Leadership Team, Members of the Police Services Board, Members of the Ministry of Youth, Community and Social Services, community partners and distinguished guests to the ceremony.
For many of the students, this graduation was a major milestone, and this past Initiative is a testament that today’s youth are the leaders of tomorrow.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the 2022 Youth in Policing Summer Initiative, applications are open until May 3rd. For more information please visit www.drps.ca/yip or email us at youthinpolicing@drps.ca
