Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award

National Youth Justice Policing Award – 2025 Winner

Groupe Contact

The recipient of the 2025 Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award is the Longueuil Police Service for their outstanding work on the Groupe Contact project.

Groupe Contact was launched in 2022 to promote positive behaviour in local youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who have come in contact or are at risk of coming in contact with the criminal justice system. The project team includes police officers, criminal analysts and youth counsellors who collaborate with community partners to ensure every young person referred to the team receives comprehensive support. The team works closely with youth as well as restorative justice centres, schools, and health and family services.

Since its establishment, Groupe Contact has supported 120 young people with personalized intervention support plans that are highly adapted to each young person’s needs, culture and individual characteristics. The project hosts school workshops, outreach programs, summer camps and sport activities to promote positive youth development and discourage harmful behaviour. The team offers services in English, French, Spanish and Arabic, enabling effective communication with various communities.

Groupe Contact has seen highly positive outcomes in Longueuil, with young participants becoming active members of their communities and entering the job market. As a result of the Longueuil Police Service’s successful interventions, youth referred to the project have become more empathetic, considerate, and gained a greater sense of responsibility.

More information about Groupe Contact can be found at https://www.longueuil.quebec/fr/groupe-contact-prevention-de-la-delinquance-juvenile [French only].

Previous winners

Learn about previous Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award recipients: