Innovative Community Policing Models in Response to Discrimination of Racialized Youth Who Use Drugs

Abstract

Tense relations between police and racialized youth, especially those who use drugs, are ongoing concerns in Canada and other countries, with greater incidents of racial profiling and discrimination resulting in reduced trust and police legitimacy. While there have been calls for various forms of defunding police, some youth who use drugs (YWUDs) have highlighted the need for police to have stronger connections with the community to create better relationships between YWUD and police. The concept of “community policing” may be a viable and promising approach to reimagining law enforcement. A rapid review of grey and peer-reviewed literature was used to highlight promising community policing models, and identify gaps, strengths, and approaches to promote positive relations between police and racialized YWUD. We found that very few programs offered comprehensive, culturally safe training curriculums or initiatives that involve consultation or co-development with community members themselves. Furthermore, few program models are empirically supported by evidence-based outcomes and were largely based on anecdotal evidence. These findings may inform future practice with recommendations for enhanced law enforcement training in trauma-informed harm reduction, youth psychosocial development, prosocial communication and crisis de-escalation techniques, reconciliation, and cultural safety.