Changing youth attitudes toward the police through community policing programming
We thank St. Felix Centre for their indispensable contribution to the current project, particularly the youth drop-in staff and volunteers. We also thank Retired Deputy Police Chief P. Sloly for his contribution in the dissemination of study findings and Staff Superintendent M. Di Tommaso for his initial approval of the project and role in facilitating its successful implementation. Finally, we especially thank Police Constables K. Draper, N. Maicantis, D. Nunes, and M. Silva for their commitment and enthusiasm toward the program youth. Their participation in the program was instrumental to the study's success.
Abstract
This article presents an evaluation of a community policing program designed to increase youths’ positive attitudes toward the police. A total of 45 youth attended the program and were surveyed at 3 time points: before program commencement, after program completion, and after a 4-month follow-up time period. Four program outcomes were examined: global attitudes toward the police, perception of the police, distributive justice of the police, and perception of police discrimination. Overall, participation in the program was effective in reducing perceptions of police discrimination and increasing attitudes toward the police among all youth. Findings also support the program as a remedial intervention for youth with past negative encounters with the police. The evaluation is discussed in the context of promoting the successful implementation of future community policing programs targeted toward at-risk youth.
