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Edmonton Police Service presented with Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award

Aug. 29, 2022, Fredericton, N.B. – Across the country, governments and police are working in close partnership with communities and families to prevent youth crime and to ensure a fair and effective youth justice system. The Government of Canada supports the innovative work done by its partners to help youth who have been in conflict with the law.

The Department of Justice Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Police Association and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, presented the Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award to Sergeant Kendall Booth, Leeanne Harvey, Youth Programs Coordinator of the Edmonton Police Service, and Michael Peters, Program Manager of YMCA of Northern Alberta. The award recognizes their innovative policing approach and efforts with their DIVERSIONfirst program.

The DIVERSIONfirst program is a partnership between the Edmonton Police Service, the YMCA of Northern Alberta and the Boys and Girls Club Big Brothers Big Sisters. The objective of the program is to hold a young person accountable for their actions while connecting them with new opportunities and better preparing them for their future. DIVERSIONfirst connects youth who have committed their first non-violent criminal occurrence with community and family supports, and helps them build the foundation for a positive future away from crime. The program uses a restorative justice approach that helps youth recognize the connection between their behaviors and the harm caused to themselves, the community, family, and victims.

The award recipients were recognized Sunday evening at the Canadian Police Association’s Biennial Conference in Fredericton, New Brunswick.