"We Expect Much of You": Enlisting Youth in the Policing of Marginalized Communities

Abstract In this paper, we examine a police summer program for youth from marginalized communities designed to both provide valuable experiences and opportunities as well as improve the problematic relationship between marginalized youth and police. Using the concepts of racialization, governance, and interest-convergence, we consider how such institutionally sponsored programs socialize youth into a value system that fosters self-governance and restraint, particularly in the case of youth who, because of where they live, are considered to be "at risk." Hence, they are subjected to interventions that operate in subtle ways to regulate them into what are deemed appropriate values and beliefs. We found that after six weeks of working with the police, the attitudes of the youth changed from avoidance to enthusiastic endorsements of police practices. In this way, the program worked to advance the institutional interests of the police without the organization having to confront or adjust any of its own practices and assumptions. Ultimately, the program, with its focus on attitudes, behaviour, and opportunity, promotes and achieves the kind of reform that never questions structural and systemic inequalities. Resume Dans cet article, nous examinons un programme estival organise par la police de Toronto pour les jeunes de communautes marginalisees, concu a la fois pour leur offrir des occasions et des experiences utiles et pour ameliorer la relation problematique qu'ils ont avec la force publique. A partir des concepts de racialisation, de gouvernance et de convergence d'interets, nous constatons comment ces programmes, parraines par les institutions, les socialisent en leur instillant un systeme de valeur qui les encourage a se prendre en mains et a se controler, surtout dans le cas de ceux qui, en raison de leur lieu de residence, sont consideres comme " a risque ". En consequence, ces jeunes sont soumis a des interventions qui fonctionnent de maniere subtile afin de les convaincre d'adopter de bonnes valeurs, ou ce qui est juge comme tel. Nous constatons qu'au bout de 6 semaines de travail avec la police, leur attitude a change : ils passent de l'evitement a une approbation enthousiaste des pratiques policieres. Le programme a fait ainsi progresser les interets institutionnels des forces de l'ordre sans que l'organisation ait eu a se remettre en question ou a ajuster ses propres pratiques et methodes. Finalement, en mettant l'accent sur les attitudes, le comportement et les possibilites qui leur sont offertes, il favorise et obtient un type de reforme qui ne questionne jamais les inegalites du systeme et des structures. INTRODUCTION In July 2011, media, politicians, parents, senior police officers, and community members were invited to meet the approximately 150 youth who were to spend their summer working within the Toronto Police Service. The Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI) is a program designed to give youth from Toronto's priority neighbourhoods (1) summer employment working in various police divisions. It is thought that the program would provide these youth with opportunities and direction that they might otherwise lack since they come from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The program is also seen to provide the youth and police opportunities to get to know each other, thereby dispelling any negative stereotypes that may exist between the two. During the launch ceremony, Police Chief William Blair told the youth, "The work you do will make a difference. You will help us serve the people and this city and you will help us improve the quality of life for every citizen" (Toronto Police Service 2011). He continued by stressing that the youth would "learn new skills that will help you with your future aspirations. You will also learn about the value of public service to the community and to the city.... We expect much of you." Police Services Board chair, Dr. …