Sixteen middle school students have graduated from a programme designed to help them build trust with Police and make their voices heard.

The Youth Policing Initiative, run in conjunction with Family Centre, is a weeklong, after-school scheme in which they meet officers from different sections of the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) and form positive relationships.

The leadership training programme aims to increase the understanding the officers and young people have of themselves and others, and to strengthen communities.

Martha Dismont, the executive director of Family Centre, said: “YPI is a powerful week. Not only does it reinforce the leadership all youth are capable of when we provide them with the support they need and expect the best of them, it also reminds all of us of what we are capable of as a community.

“I would like to thank the 2015 youth and Police participants for being brave enough to speak from the heart and for being open to the connections and relationships that can build when we slow down enough to listen to each other. This is something our community really needs right now.”

The YPI, a partnership between the BPS, Family Centre, Dellwood Middle School and the North American Family Institute, helps the students to build confidence, improve their leadership skills and understand the power of their decisions.

Activities help them to boost skills such as self-awareness, critical thinking, communication and relationship building. Structured dialogue, team building, role play and other activities allow the Police and the students to discuss community issues and explore tough questions.

Darren Woods, Family Centre’s community support worker and lead trainer of YPI 2015, described the initiative as a rewarding and gratifying experience.

“I was able to see a switch flip for youth as they recognised that their voice matters, their opinions matter, their choices matter,” he said. “Through sharing with Police officers what it is like to be them and about who they want to become, all youth left the week with more confidence and pride.

“Through being fully committing and giving 100 per cent, they had a huge impact on the officers who participated. I commend this group of young people and police officers for stepping up and doing their part to bridge the gap between youth and Police.”

The 21 officers taking part, who volunteered to do so and gave up their free time, learnt more about what it is like to be a young person in Bermuda.

Inspector Scott Devine, of the BPS Central Community Action Team, said: “This year’s group of officers were exceptional in the way they opened up to and worked with the young people. They built lasting relationships that we look forward to developing in the months and years ahead.

“It’s vitally important that, as an organisation, the BPS relates to people of all ages. I’m extremely proud that so many officers gave up their time to work with this group of young people in the community and made every effort to understand the social issues that they are facing.

“The Youth Police Initiative gives officers from across the service the opportunity to hear from the future of Bermuda and work with them to ensure a safer Bermuda for all.”

The YPI was held from March 2 to 6, with the graduation ceremony on the final day. The young people and officers involved were celebrated for their efforts and the students — all in M3 at Dellwood Middle School — shared what they had learnt.

One 13-year-old girl said: “I realise that police officers are just like us: they are just in uniform and they take their jobs seriously. I will commit that I will try to talk to every single one of you when I see you.”

Another girl, 14, said: “I learnt that police officers work hard when it comes to their job. I will try to change myself to be a more positive me.”

A 14-year-old boy said: “I am glad I became a part of the group. It is making a positive impact on my life.

“I have learnt that my words matter and the things I say can really impact someone else’s life.

“I know that this group will help me with my leadership goals. I commit to being myself and showing full participation because the more I put in, the more I will get out. I will do the best I can and be open to trying new things.”

Launched in 2011, the YPI is the first phase of a three-part Youth Leadership Programme run by Family Centre.