EPS Hosts ‘Hand in Hand’ Event at Boyle Street Education Centre to Foster Reconciliation

EPS Hand in Hand - A Step towards Reconciliation at Boyle Street Education Centre (Photo Credits - Daniel Barker-Tremblay)

The Edmonton Police Service held the ‘Hand in Hand – A Step towards Reconciliation event at Boyle Street Education Centre for students and staff on recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

EPS Deputy Chief Darren Derko spoke with CFWE and says it’s a special event to be a part of, and creating ways of being “Hand in Hand” towards a path of working together.

EPS Deputy Chief Darren Derko speaking at the ‘Hand in Hand – A Step Towards Reconciliation’ at Boyle Street Community Services (Photo Credits – Daniel Barker-Tremblay)

Deputy Chief Derko says seeing the youth participate at Boyle Street Education Centre makes the future bright as they are future leaders of the community with the help from building a relationship with the police to get there.

Edmonton Police Officers serving Lunch to the community and students at the Boyle Street Education Centre (Photo Credits – Daniel Barker-Tremblay)

Deputy Chief Derko adds that with the Hand in Hand event, he hopes that EPS Officers take the opportunity to learn about and to get a better understanding of Indigenous people and to police with compassion going forward.

Healing Song performed at the Hand in Hand event at the Boyle Street Education Centre (Photo Credits – Daniel Barker-Tremblay)

Debbie Michael, Superintendent of the Boyle Street Education Centre says seeing the youth being a part of the Hand in Hand event, is a way to help encourage and guide the youth to pursue their dreams and goals.

Debbie Michael, Superintendent of the Boyle Street Education Centre speaking at the Hand in Hand – A Step Towards Reconciliation (Photo Credits – Daniel Barker-Tremblay)

Michael adds that Hand in Hand is a beginning of many great things to come as the EPS develop a better relationship with the students and community to foster a positive look from the officers to the students.