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Media Release
OACP Releases Highlights of
2025 Ontario Police and Youth Engagement Survey
For Immediate Release: December 9, 2025
(Toronto, ON) – The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) has released highlights from its 2025 Ontario Police and Youth Engagement Survey. Conducted by the OACP Youth Committee across 39 police services, the intended purpose of the survey was to better understand the current landscape of youth engagement across police services by highlighting the diverse ways police services structure and deliver youth engagement, in and beyond schools.
Ontario’s police leaders prioritize building positive relationships with youth. With the Government of Ontario’s Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025 now law, this survey informs how police can engage school communities to support students, parents, and educators.
The findings will guide the Committee’s strategic priorities and identify areas for additional resources and collaboration.
Key Findings:
- Building Trust: Police services are working to better engage youth, especially those from diverse or marginalized backgrounds. Improved communication and openness are essential.
- Early Intervention: Strong support exists for diversion programs and restorative approaches that keep youth out of the traditional justice system when appropriate.
- Training and Resources: Additional tools and culturally sensitive training are needed to help police and community organizations work effectively with youth.
- Collaboration: Youth issues often involve mental health, social pressures, and systemic inequities. Police must work closely with schools, youth agencies, and social-service partners to meet these needs.
The OACP, through its Youth Committee, remains committed to supporting police personnel in collaboration with government, education, and community partners to address the evolving needs of young people and families across Ontario.
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For more information, please contact:
Dr. José Luís (Joe) Couto
Director of Government Relations & Communications
T. (416) 919-9798
E. jcouto@oacp.ca
Members of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police serve their communities as the senior police leaders in municipal, regional, provincial, National, and Indigenous police services across Ontario
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