By Josh Hall and Sheldon Spackman

working together

Local youth meeting with RCMP to build stronger relationship

Nov 4, 2020 | 2:10 PM

Local youth have an opportunity this weekend to speak directly with local law enforcement and ask important questions in hopes of building a stronger relationship between the two groups.

The event hosted by the Ubuntu Youth Council will take place this Saturday, Nov. 7 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Festival Hall (4214 58 Street) in Red Deer.

Ubuntu Youth Council founder and co-president Ursella Khan says the need for the event stemmed from the racially-motivated rallies and protests that took place throughout central Alberta this summer.

“We saw that a lot of youth were there and when I talked to most of them, they didn’t really have a relationship with the police and they really didn’t want one,” says Khan. “So this event is to build those bridges and just (be) a safe space for the youth to ask police those important questions. Because this is their community as well and they don’t feel protected by those officers or by the police department. This is an important way for youth to have a better outlook on the police department.”

Khan expects there to be questions raised around protocols on de-escalation with people or youth of colour, who holds police accountable, and what initiatives are taking place to address complaints of racism against the force.

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She says members of the RCMP will be on hand as part of the panel at the event, as well as Red Deer city councillor Dianne Wyntjes and a pair of local youth.

“It’s about making youth feel safe so that we can have that conversation with them,” Khan explains. “This is just part one of building that bridge. But after this event, we will be building that bridge between Ubuntu Youth Council and the police department where youth can come to us if they have an issue.”

Khan says they’ll also discuss the concept defunding the police and what that looks like, suggesting further insight as to why people should not be afraid of that term.

“Really, what it looks like is using a lot of that money that goes to the police department in a lot of other areas. If we want a better and safer environment for all of us in the future, we have to put it towards things such as education and those anti-racism initiatives.”

Red Deer RCMP Constable Derek Turner says members of the Community Policing unit focus on outreach and engagement to build relationships with local partners, including youth.

“Red Deer RCMP hope to continue to build positive relationships with members of the Ubuntu Youth Council, based on trust and mutual respect,” says Turner. “It is important that young people have the opportunity to provide their perspective on issues that affect them. Understanding their perspective enables police officers to interact more effectively with and better understand youth.”

Turner says the RCMP believes that the long-term prevention of youth crime and victimization can only be accomplished in partnership with the community.

“For this reason, the RCMP works closely with local entities so that young people who come into contact with the police, as either victims or offenders, receive the help they need,” he adds. “Establishing effective youth engagement practices allows critical thinking about issues such as bullying, online safety, sexual consent, and drug-impaired and distracted driving, among other social issues facing youth.”

Turner notes several Community Policing initiatives aimed at addressing the underlying risk factors that lead to youth criminal activity, such as monitoring group homes, monitoring vulnerable youth, K-12 school engagements, youth mentorship program, and multiple youth diversions.

At a national level, Turner points out the RCMP National Youth Advisory Committee brings together youth from all over Canada to discuss important issues that they face in their respective communities, while providing valuable input to the RCMP’s policies, programs and strategies.