RCMP Youth Program Signals Shift in Community Policing Strategy

Event summary

  • The RCMP is hosting a Youth Leadership Workshop from March 9th to 15th, 2026, at Depot in Regina, Saskatchewan.
  • Thirteen Indigenous youth from across Canada are participating, each accompanied by an RCMP mentor.
  • Participants will develop action plans to address youth crime or victimization issues within their communities.
  • The program, which began in 2011, aims to foster collaboration and incorporate youth perspectives into RCMP policies and programs.

The big picture

This initiative represents a strategic shift for the RCMP, moving beyond traditional policing methods to incorporate community-led solutions and address systemic issues impacting Indigenous youth. The program's long-term success will depend on its ability to foster genuine collaboration and empower youth to become active agents of change within their communities. This approach reflects a broader trend towards restorative justice and community-based crime prevention strategies within the Canadian public sector.

What we're watching

Implementation Risk
The success of the program hinges on the effective implementation of action plans by participants within their communities, which may be hampered by resource constraints or local resistance.
Policy Impact
The extent to which the youth participants’ input genuinely influences RCMP policies and programs will be a key indicator of the program's long-term value and commitment to youth engagement.
Scalability
The RCMP will need to demonstrate the ability to scale this program beyond the current 13 participants to meaningfully impact youth crime across Canada’s diverse communities.