Why are the cops on youth patrol?

“A hundred percent of our youth are wonderful kids and sometimes they have poor guidance in their life.”

So says Kelowna RCMP Media Relations Officer, Cst. Mike Della-Paolera, when speaking to a new Youth Officer Program that launches this summer. The RCMP has made a focus on youth during the summer months a national priority.

In Kelowna it will see existing School Resource Officers deployed at the city’s parks, beaches, and areas where there has been youth violence and social disorder like the Orchard Park Mall, Queensway Bus Loop, and known party spots.

It’s in response to concerns from the community about the recent increase in youth crime.

“We’re just hoping to fill that [guidance] gap with youth and help them get through some of the stumbling blocks in life,” Della-Paolera explained to Kelowna10.

Because the officers are already working in the schools most of the kids will be familiar with them.

“That bridge, that communication has already been built… they’re already a safe adult in their life,” he said.

By having this familiarization, it is expected to help mitigate criminal activity, and allow for trusted engagement regarding a youth’s needs or create alternates to nefarious decisions, the RCMP said in a media release.

The youth officers will work closely with the Community Safety Unit (CSU) to not only deter criminal behaviour by youth, but also get them connected with services such as Youth Probation, Youth Crown, Boys and Girls Club, and Foundry, if needed.

The officers will be in the downtown core and Rutland area starting in July conducting both foot and bike patrols working with youth.