Elementary Students Serve It Up For Law Enforcement

Written by admin on 22 September 2011

: The Volleyball Allstars – OLOL Grade 6, 7 and 8 students, Officers of the Manitouwadge/Marathon OPP Detachment, and MMYJC Coordinator Isobel Nobel (far right in yellow). Photo courtesy MMYJC

MANITOUWADGE, ON – Yesterday, Grade 6, 7 and 8 students from Our Lady of Lourdes school had an opportunity to show off their volleyball skills and trade tips with local law enforcement during an after school game organized by Marathon/Manitouwadge Youth Justice Committee (MMYJC) Coordinator Isobel Noble.

Nobel has been organizing the Cops & Kids volleyball games for a number of years, having held games both in Manitouwadge and Marathon and at elementary and secondary schools. Coordination of these ‘just for fun’ games is not mandated by the Youth Justice Committee; it is an initiative created by Noble to facilitate and promote communication between law enforcement officials and local teens and pre-teens. The games provide opportunity for the kids to see police and others in law enforcement out of uniform, in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Manitouwage Sergeant John Hatch beleives the games have opened lines of communication, providing kids with a first contact from which they may feel more comfortable approaching officers. Since his arrival last December (2010) Sergeant Hatch has seen the results of this; elementary and secondary school students whom he has met through participation in the volleyball games are more apt to initiate conversations with him on the street. “I find it’s very beneficial to play games like volleyball because it gives the kids an opportunity to see us out of uniform, and realize that we are regular people too.” said Hatch. MMYJC Coordinator Isobel Noble agrees, “That’s what it’s all about, that’s why I organize these games” said Noble.

Of course for the kids, the cool attendance prizes Noble provides at the games is great incentive to participate. Each game includes a chance to win an iPod Shuffle, a Gift Certificates for a Pizza and a Gift Certificate for a Movie Rental.

Teams are not planned in advance, sometimes it’s cops vs. kids other times, like at yesterday’s game, police and kids join forces to make random teams, “It was alot of fun” said Sergeant Hatch who was among those playing from the Manitouwadge Detachment (OPP). Noble explained that this was likely the last Manitouwadge game for the year as games had now (2011) been played at each of the schools; she suggested that Pic Mobert might be the next place where she would be organizing a Cops & Kids Volley.

MORE INFO

Learn more about the Marathon/Manitouwadge Youth Justice Committee (Attorney General)
Visit the Marathon/Manitouwadge Youth Justice Committee website (local)
Learn more about the Ontario Provincial Police (Carreers, what they do, ect.)

BACKGROUND

Marathon & Manitouwadge Community & Youth Justice Program: An overview

The Community & Youth Justice program offers an alternative to court proceedings for minor, non-violent offences for first time offenders. The major prerequisites are that the offender admits up front his or her responsibility for the offence and that the victim is willing to participate in the program. The offender, the victim and their supporters attend the conference, along with a trained volunteer facilitator.

As of April 1, 2003, the Youth Criminal Justice Act came into effect, replacing the Young Offenders Act. One of the main pieces of this legislation is alternative justice programs.

Youth justice conferences, presided over by program facilitators who are all community volunteers, will be the main focus of the program. A justice conference involves bringing the victim and his/her supporters, the offender and his/her supporters, and a trained facilitator together in a controlled setting to talk about the crime and to see if a resolution can be arrived at to restore harmony in the community.

The heart of the program is the interaction between the parties. The offender speaks first, admitting what he/she has done. This can be a challenge for the facilitator since the offender is often reluctant to open up in front of the other people. The victim then speaks. This is usually very important for the victim because it is the first time he/she gets to say how they have been affected by the crime. It also provides an opportunity for the offender to see what the impact of his/her crime has been and how it affects the lives of other people.

Then, the victim’s supporters are invited to speak on the harm the crime has done. This quite often is the first time the offender had given any thought as to how his/her actions affected others.

Finally, the offender’s supporters speak, and they usually are as troubled as the victim. The theory is the offender will feel remorse, and that it promotes a desire not to stray outside of what society sees as acceptable conduct. The goal of the facilitation promotes offender awareness and allows the victim the opportunity – in a safe environment – to confront this person and find closure.

The group then is asked for suggestions on how the matter can be resolved. A contract is drafted, and the offender is expected to comply with the terms of resolution, reporting back to the co-ordinator of the program. An opportunity is given to the young person to offer an apology as part of a resolution, as well as other conditions could vary from a charitable donation, compensation, community service, curfews, and participation in community programs, among others.

The Youth Justice Committee employs Isobel Nobel as the co-ordinator working from an office at 51 Oshweeken (Brass Bell Building at the bottom of the Ski Hill Road) in Manitouwadge. If you are interested in obtaining more information on the program or on becoming involved, please feel free to call Isobel at 807-826-3515.