Police Chief Paul Ladouceur likes to say that youth are 20 percent of the population, and 100 percent of the future.

With that idea in mind, the Estevan Police Service held their first youth night on Tuesday. Approximately 30 kids of all ages came to the Church of God gymnasium to play a variety of sports with the community's law enforcement personnel.

"It was certainly more than we expected for this being the first time that we've done this. Judging by the response we received, we're going to continue to do them," said Ladouceur, adding that they aim to hold two a month, with the next one planned in November.

"This is a great way for police to connect with local youth. The sooner we can establish positive relations with them, the better the relationship. And that carries through as they grow into adulthood. We've found time and time again that when those relationships develops young, it yields great results. They're much more engaged with their police service, they're more apt to report incidents, they're not afraid of police and they have a positive outlook towards their police service and vice versa."

He gave Estevan's newest police officer, Michelle Pickering, the credit for the success of the occasion.

"She applied for a grant through the Communities Initiative Fund, looked at this on her own initiative as a positive way to engage local youth. Good for her, that's what we expect from our members. She took the ball and ran with it, and it turned out to be a great event."