Edmonton Police Service officers and youth from the city's African-Canadian community are connecting and building positive relationships through the Police and Youth Engagement Program (PYEP).

"PYEP aims to bring police and youth together, remove misconceptions on both sides, build trust, and create a safe and comfortable environment in which dialogue can occur," said Hawa Barud, PYEP Coordinator.
This allows youth to become ambassadors within their own respective communities, while expanding police knowledge about certain ethno-cultural communities and the issues that affect them.
Barud adds, "It also allows youth to foster positive relationships with the police that can overcome previously held negative opinions about police and their role in the community. As a previous participant and a person from one of the ethno-cultural communities, my experience has given me a greater understanding of the importance of discourse between youth and Edmonton police."
In its second year, PYEP has shown that cultivating positive relationships between youth and police is a successful tactic in developing youth leadership skills and for keeping youth away from crime.
Approximately 38 youths, ages 14 to 17 years, from the city's emerging African-Canadian communities are participating in PYEP from Aug. 4 to 8, 2015. The youth represent the Sudanese, Somali, Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Oromo communities.
Participants get a behind-the-scenes look at policing in Edmonton, receive specialized training, and develop skills in communication, problem-solving and community capacity building.
"PYEP is a platform for police to engage with Edmonton’s ethno-cultural youth and initiate a positive connection," says Acting Sgt. Harpreet Jhinjar with the EPS Community Operations Support Unit. "Engaging with the youth is an essential part in establishing and building long-term relationships with these communities."
PYEP is offered free of charge to participants through the support of the Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton Police Foundation, the Tembo Committee, the City of Edmonton, and REACH Edmonton.
from Media Releases http://ift.tt/1DuvDse