The objective of the High School Liaison Officer (HSLO) Program is to provide a responsive policing model at local secondary schools that meets the needs of educators, students, and families. By building effective working relationships with everyone in the school community, HSLOs will develop and implement educational programs in partnership with school boards to best address police related issues and concerns in local high schools.

Officers attend schools on a regularly scheduled basis, respond to questions and concerns from students, parents, teachers, school boards and the community, and meet regularly with administration to ensure clear and collaborative communication.

Our Police Services partnership with all area school boards is strengthened by the Police School Protocol – a legislatively driven document that serves to regulate and establish pathways to support our combined approach to maintaining a healthy and safe school environment – for all children in an educational setting.

The Youth Team focuses specifically on ‘at risk’ youth, including children at risk of victimization or engaging in criminality. The Team works closely with HRPS social workers to support vulnerable youth in our area through enhanced connection to services and ongoing education delivered with our partners.

Additionally, the Team supports young people who come into contact with the Criminal Justice System through the administration of our Youth Pre-Charge Diversion Program.

Halton Regional Police Service has established a Youth Pre-Charge Diversion Program that strives to promote and foster a healthy community by facilitating restorative outcomes in response to youth in conflict with the law. This is achieved through education, accountability, partnership initiatives and early intervention.

Pre-charge diversion is specifically set within the Youth Criminal Justice Act as an Extra Judicial Measure.

Our Youth Pre-Charge Diversion Program is a community- based alternative to address less serious incidents of crime reported to police that have been committed by young people between the ages of 12 and 17 years old.

The Youth Pre-Charge Diversion Program works collaboratively with a number of community resources to provide diverse multi-disciplinary support to youth and their families during a time of identified need.

The types of offences considered for diversion include:

• Shoplifting
• Vandalism
• Property damage
• Fraud
• Take motor vehicle without consent
• Assault
• Possession of a controlled substance

A youth may be considered for an alternative to the court process if they meet the following criteria:

• Are between 12-17 years of age
• There is sufficient evidence to proceed with a charge
• The youth accepts responsibility and is willing to participate in the program

Next Steps:

A designate from the Youth Team will schedule an appointment to explain the program and determine if criteria for participation have been met.

Parents and/or guardians are encouraged to attend with the youth.

Youth meeting the above-noted criteria enter into a contract with specified behavioral conditions which may include:

• Curfew
• Regular school attendance
• Alcohol and/or drug abstinence
• Abiding by parental rules and discipline
• Community service work
• Restitution
• Written assignment
• Counselling
• Drug and alcohol education
• Parental accompaniment to plazas and stores
• Other conditions as appropriate

These agreements are generally set for a period of three months. They can, however, be extended based on individual needs.

If the youth successfully completes the terms of the program, a charge(s) is not laid. If the youth fails to abide by the terms of the diversion program, the agreement is terminated. The original charge(s) will be laid and the youth will proceed to Youth Court.

The HRPS Safety Village is now open. It features new, updated & dynamic programming for our Region’s youngest residents. The programming created is specifically designed for children in Junior Kindergarten/Senior Kindergarten and Grades 1 to 3. Schools and families will have the opportunity to opt-in to these programs, which are aimed at building a strong foundational relationship between community helpers (the police) and children.

Click to learn more and to book the Safety Village.

Youth Outreach

The Youth Outreach Program is a supportive initiative designed to engage ‘at risk’ youth 12-17 years of age who are on the precipice of or who are actively engaged in criminal behavior. Through mentorship, positive interactions with law enforcement, and community-building activities, Youth Outreach aims to foster personal growth, encourage pro-social behavior, and create meaningful relationships between youth and the community. 

Partnership with Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK)

For many years, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has worked in partnership with the lead agency for children and youth mental health in Halton, Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) to ensure children, youth and their families receive timely and effective support when they need it most.

In June of 2025, we announced an enhanced partnership with ROCK, which saw the addition of ROCK Crisis counsellors to the HRPS Youth Team with the goal of streamlining connections to services and providing better support of vulnerable youth.

Moving forward, the embedded Crisis Counsellors will assist the Youth Team and front-line officers during non-emergency calls for service, increase training for our members, and support other youth related activities HRPS undertakes.

The inclusion of ROCK Crisis Counsellors are a welcomed addition to the Youth Team, whose presence and guidance will further strengthen HRPS’ commitment to ensuring a full and complete response to those in need.