Five Youth in Policing Drive (YIPI) graduates are among the Toronto Police Administration (TPS) new police constables who accepted their identifications on June 5 and are set to serve and safeguard the city.
Since the program began in 2006, this is the most YIPIs in a recruit class.
Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB), Ann Morgan, described the program that provides young people with exposure to the TPS through part-time paid work as “incredibly powerful.” “To have these five individuals, who learned about the Service as young people, come back to make policing their chosen career is incredibly powerful,” she said.
Anthony Perkins, who virtually participated in the pandemic in 2021, is the youngest member of this class of police constables to graduate at the age of 20.
His interest in policing was sparked by his positive interactions with police officers at Silverthorn Junior Public School.
He stated, “They played ball hockey with us in our little area.” From that point, I admired them and needed to be a cop serving the local area.”
Perkins, who ran his own clothing business while he was in school, is going into a career that his father once had an interest in. He has been assigned to the 43 Division.
The young man who moved to Canada with his family in 2007 stated, “He wanted to be a cop in Jamaica, but it didn’t happen.” Although I am young, I am prepared for this. Excellent training has been provided.
Perkins is enrolled in the Business Management program at Toronto Metropolitan University and intends to complete the 13 required undergraduate courses.
Melva Radway, the coordinator of the YIPI program, said that the recruit is wise beyond his years.
She stated, “I knew Anthony was in school and doing very well.” However, he was so determined to become an officer. He understands what he needs and I respect that about him. He took the lead in everything we did during the program. He stood out among the students.
Shu Ming Zhang has been interested in policing ever since he was a child in China.
When he was assigned to 41 Division in 2015, he took part in the program, which strengthened his belief that he could do the job.
He stated, “I got exposure to a lot of units, including the Marine Unit and the Emergency Task Force.” I knew I wanted to work in policing since I was about seven years old. I was drawn to the profession because of something about it.
He applied to TPS in 2022 and was accepted, having earned a criminology degree from the University of Toronto.
Zhang is going to 52 Division.
Christopher Sasso discovered a passion for law enforcement through the YIPI program.
Prior to being acknowledged into the 2015-16 winter program, he didn’t have a lifelong objective.
“Working at 31 Division with an astonishing gathering of officials and seeing the effect they made on the local area let me in on that was the vocation I needed to seek after,” said Sasso, who applied to TPS in April 2022 in the wake of completing the College of Guelph/Humber Equity Studies program.
Gianluca Civichino volunteered at a food bank and assisted officers in covering up illegal graffiti vandalism after being assigned to 12 Division as a YIPI eight years ago.
He stated, “Those were really great experiences that helped me prepare for the career I am beginning.” I love local area work.”
Civichino stated that the instruction was excellent.
“The opportunities to learn more about the city’s diverse communities were really what really stood out for me.” said the graduate of Martingrove Collegiate Institute and the University of Guelph/Humber. Because the majority of Divisions are extremely diverse and we will be dealing with individuals from a variety of cultures and backgrounds, that was very important to me.
Civichino was given his badge by Inspector Ted Lioumanis.
The recruit stated, “He is a friend of my dad and the person who introduced me to the YIPI program.”
Adam Holness had aspirations of becoming a lawyer prior to enrolling in the YIPI program in 2013.
After he finished the six-week summer program for high school and university students between the ages of 15 and 18 who come from Neighbourhood Improvement Areas designated by the City of Toronto and frequently have trouble finding summer employment, there was a shift.
Holness stated, “I felt welcomed the moment I entered 33 Division a decade ago.” I was given the opportunity to participate in a number of community events, and the officers were excellent. When I perceived how much the officials were taken part in and with the local area, I said I needed to be essential for that.”
After completing the Humanities program at York University, the West Hill Collegiate Institute graduate returned to the YIPI program in 2020 to work as a Program Assistant for two years.
During COVID-19, they collaborated with Radway and Brenden McDonald to create the initial YIPI virtual program.
Holness is allocated to 33 Division.
“After my experience there a long time back, that was my best option and I’m very lucky to get my desire,” he added. ” Simply put, it’s a fantastic place to work.
Since the program origin a long time back, 31 graduated class – 16 formally dressed and 15 regular citizen – have gotten back to work with TPS.
Chief Myron Demkiw noted that the YIPIs and other new recruits bring an invaluable wealth of knowledge and life experiences to the organization when they were welcomed.
He remarked, “You each represent your own communities, with many bringing proficiency in multiple languages, such as Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Polish, Serbian, Arabic, Greek, Tamil, and German.” We truly value this because you will assist us in providing services to our numerous Toronto neighborhoods and communities. We appreciate you choosing the Toronto Police Department.
Demkiw stated to the graduates that despite their diverse backgrounds, they share a compassion that truly exemplifies the Service’s core value of Service at Our Core.
He stated, “I know you will be guided by your integrity and will treat people with respect and equitability as you selflessly serve the residents of Toronto.”
The Chief emphasized the significance of self-care as they now devote a significant portion of themselves to policing.
While he was speaking with the recruit class a few weeks ago, they signed a document that made their commitment to self-care official.
The Chief stated, “I am hopeful that this commitment will be one of the many steps that we take together – to co-create an organizational culture that places a priority on your health, safety, and well-being.” As cops, our wellbeing, security and prosperity are basic as far as we’re concerned to be viable in our work. Also, kindly realize that your wellbeing, security and prosperity are, and will constantly be, our first concern. To prioritize self-care, we owe it to our families and friends, to our communities, and to ourselves.
Demkiw made a direct promise to the graduates’ family and friends that the organization would do everything in its power to ensure that they returned home after their shifts.
He went on to say, “It is understandable that some of you are concerned about them as they begin this journey in their careers as police officers.” Given the number of police officers who have died in the line of duty, I’m sure your concern has grown over the past few months. I want you to know that I am aware of your worries. It has been a difficult time for the families of police officers, and I am aware that your concern stems from your love for your officer. Please be assured that we will treat your favorite officer like family whenever they arrive at work.
A sum of 85% of the class has post-optional schooling and 46 percent communicate in something like one language other than English.
“You variety is a reflection of our phenomenal city,” Morgan, a previous Representative Crown Lawyer, told the alumni. ” Additionally, it contains our enormous strength. The nature of our Administration is reinforced when the variety of our extraordinary city is reflected in the people who police it. We are able to communicate with members of our various communities and neighborhoods through you, speak with them in their native languages, build relationships, and thus strengthen our ever-important partnership with the public, which is the essential key to everything we do.
Taylor Thompson spent two and a half years as a University of Toronto Special Constable in preparation for a career in law enforcement.
The graduate of the Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute who went on to study criminology at Toronto Metropolitan University stated, “This was the only Service I applied to because I was born and raised in this city.” I initially intended to become a teacher, but a lack of openings discouraged me. A few of my friends work in law enforcement, and they thought I would enjoy it.
She will attend 41 Division.
Sukhchain Singh came to the United States in 2015 as an international student and worked part-time in a factory while studying.
Last year, he met two 31 Division officials at a sanctuary.
According to Singh, who is assigned to the 13 Division, “They answered every question I asked about how I could get into the profession and made me feel comfortable.” They alluded me to another official who assisted me with the most common way of applying.”
Dismissed whenever she first applied subsequent to bombing the wellness test, Sevilay Kayalica was not discouraged from her objective of turning into a TPS official.
She stated, “I took a year off and worked really hard to get in shape.” It was worth it.
She worked as a Toronto Transit Commission fare inspector and a security guard at Yorkdale Mall for eight years before joining the Service.
She stated, “I worked with TPS officers at Yorkdale and had some positive experiences.”
According to Ontario’s Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, the cadets chose a career in law enforcement for a reason.
He said, “It is because you chose to change the lives of others.” You chose a career that has meaning, a purpose, and gives you satisfaction knowing that you can help others without them knowing or expecting it. That is the purpose of police work.
Additionally, Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie thanked the graduates for choosing a profession that will have a significant impact on many lives.
She emphasized, “It is an enormous responsibility to be a member of Toronto Police.” Toronto is unlike any other Canadian city.
During the graduation ceremony, a number of awards were given out.
With a grade of 98.2%, Kristina O’Hara received the High Academic Achievement Award; Andrew McLean received the Harry Mayzell Leadership Award; Lucas Atzori received the High Performance in Fitness Award; Kevin da Costa received the Most Improved Fitness Award; and Luke Rittwage was honored for Drill, Dress, and Deportment.
The Gulshan Kassamali Diversity & Inclusion Memorial Award went to Conrad Francis, and the Glen Cole Memorial Award went to Andrew Harden, the class valedictorian.
“We stay here loaded proudly and prepared to accept our identifications and start what we trust will be long and compensating vocations,” he said. ” It has been a long journey that has been full of difficulties, sacrifices, and labor. And keeping in mind that we have at last accomplished our objective of becoming cops, we will keep on confronting new difficulties and potential open doors as we progress in our professions.”
Harden emphasized to his recruit class the dangers of the occupation they are entering.
Ten Canadian law enforcement officers have perished in the line of duty since the passing of TPS Constable Andrew Hong in September 2022.
Harden added, “This past year has been a stark reminder of the risks that this job can pose and the sacrifices that we and our families ultimately make.” Thus, as every one of us head out to our alloted divisions and start our obligations across the city, recollect those novel qualities that got you here. Always act with courage and integrity, and most importantly, take care of yourself and your fellow workers so that you can return home to your loved ones at the end of each shift.
A charity is supported by each class of graduates.
This gathering picked Haven Movers that is a public, volunteer-driven beneficent association giving free moving and stockpiling administration to people and families escaping misuse.
They collected $2,026.
