Communities need to affirm and recognize the voices of youth in community decision making, facilitate youth-led research and problem solving, and develop and fund youth leadership training and life skills through positive youth/police collaboration and interactions.
4.7.1 Create programs and projects for positive, consistent and persistent interaction between youth and police.
SPPD supports youth success
The Saint Paul Police Department is proud of our programs, particularly those designed to connect with our most precious resources - our young people. Our programs, which are built on partnerships with the private sector, non-profit organizations and community organizers, allow us to interact with youth in a constructive way with the goal of reducing juvenile arrest.
For the past many years, our officers have participated in multiple community outreach initiatives that included PAL (fishing, fitness, bicycling, baseball, football, ice skating), SPPS/SPPD Food Drive, Washington HS reading program-Girls Empowerment Group, Como Park HS Keeping Kids Safe Mental Health Support program, and Central HS Football coach.
In collaboration with SPPS, the SPPD has reduced juvenile arrests in our schools significantly.
Reference Data
Task Status: Established Practice
4.7.1 Create programs and projects for positive, consistent and persistent interaction between youth and police.
SPPD officers mentor youth
Saint Paul Police Department officers actively participate in non-enforcement programs to build trust and relationships with the city’s youth. These programs include:
- The Humboldt High School Mentorship Program
- Juvenile Justice Jeopardy program with at-risk youth and their parents
- Juvenile fishing program
- After school sporting programs, including ice skating, baseball and soccer.
Task Status: Established Practice
4.7.1 Create programs and projects for positive, consistent and persistent interaction between youth and police.
SPPD officers mentor youth
Saint Paul Police Department Officers have mentored students in classrooms in partnership with Saint Paul Public Schools. Instruction has included presentations in schools about the principles of “Police and Community." We are committed to growing our partnership with SPPS and their students to create opportunities to coach and mentor youth.
Task Status: Established Practice
4.7.2 Communities should develop community- and school-based evidence-based programs that mitigate punitive and authoritarian solutions to teen problems.
SPPD supports juvenile success
Chief Axtell is committed to aligning the Saint Paul Police Department behind school and community initiatives to provide solutions to teen problems that offer the best opportunities for success.
Task Status: Upcoming