Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award

National Youth Justice Policing Award Winner for 2023

Toucher le sommet project

The recipient of the 2023 Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award is Constable Jessica Bonneville of the Saint-Eustache Police Service in Quebec for her leadership and work on the Toucher le sommet project.

Launched in 2018, Toucher le sommet is a collaborative effort between the Saint-Eustache Police Service and non-profit organization Persévérons ensemble. It teaches youth about perseverance and working towards a goal and culminates in a climb to the summit of Mont-Tremblant.

Since its establishment, the project has supported approximately 80 young people between the ages of 12 and 17, who have been found guilty of their first criminal offence and face various challenges and risks. Over the course of ten weeks, police officers mentor youth through sports and games, which support their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. Youth who participated in the project often become ambassadors or facilitators in following years, helping better the youth justice system through shared experiences and understanding.

Constable Jessica Bonneville joined the Saint-Eustache Police Service in 2020 as a patrol officer. In 2022, she was assigned as a police educator at École secondaire des Patriotes, where she organized and promoted Toucher le sommet to young people and partner organizations.

Toucher le sommet has had a positive impact on the City of Saint-Eustache, with notable improvement in police interactions and interventions with youth. By advising and working directly with vulnerable youth, the Saint-Eustache Police Service has been able to create a sense of camaraderie, build mutual trust, and limit repeat criminal behaviour for youth.

Previous Winners

The Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award was established in 2000. Here are the previous award recipients: