Ontario using federal funding to provide 40 new police officers in First Nations
Ontario press release
McGuinty Government Uses Federal Funding To Improve Community Safety
TORONTO, May 7 - Forty new police constables will soon be working in First Nations communities in Ontario.
The province is receiving $156 million over five years as its share of the federal Police Officers Recruitment Fund (http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2008/nr20080314-2-eng.aspx). This will enable Ontario to hire up to 329 police officers: 125 for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), up to 164 for municipal police services and 40 officers for First Nations.
QUOTES
"First Nations will be strengthened with the addition of the 40 new constables who will help make Ontario's Aboriginal communities safer." - Rick Bartolucci
(http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about_min/bio/bio.html), Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
"This investment will improve police services in First Nation communities and demonstrates the province's commitment to First Nation policing and safer Aboriginal communities in Ontario." - Brad Duguid (http://www.aboriginalaffairs.gov.on.ca/english/about/bio_duguid.asp), Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
"This means increased visibility for community events which enhances everyone's feeling of safety. It will allow us to attend our First Nation alternative justice circles, powwows and other important gatherings. It's also an opportunity for a First Nation youth to become a police officer." - Dave Whiltlow, Chief, Rama Police Service.
QUICK FACTS
- There are nine self-administered First Nations police services in Ontario.
- The OPP also administers policing services in 19 First Nations communities.
- The McGuinty government has committed to annual funding of more than $68 million annually, to help municipalities and First Nations employ more than 2,000 police officers.
LEARN MORE
- About First Nations policing in the province. (http://www.opp.ca/Organization/FieldandTrafficServices/opp_008237.html)
- Read more about the OPP's Aboriginal Policing Bureau. (http://www.opp.ca/Organization/FieldandTrafficServices/opp_000383.html)
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BACKGROUNDER
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FIRST NATIONS POLICING IN ONTARIO
There are nine self-administered First Nations police services in Ontario. In addition, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) administers the Ontario First Nations Policing Agreement (OFNPA) (http://www.opp.ca/Recruitment/FirstNations/opp_008240.html), which provides policing services for 19 First Nations communities in the province.
In 1991, the federal government introduced the First Nations Policing Policy to provide First Nations across Canada with access to police services that are professional, effective, culturally appropriate, and accountable to the communities they serve.
THE FEDERAL POLICE OFFICERS RECRUITMENT FUND
The OPP, municipal and First Nations police services will hire a total of 329 new officers under the new federal program administered by the province.
Ontario will receive $156 million in federal funding over five years as its share of the $400 million Police Officers Recruitment Fund (PORF) which resulted from a 2006 commitment by Ottawa to put 2,500 new officers on Canadian streets. Funding allocated to Ontario falls roughly 70 per cent short of the original federal commitment. The McGuinty government will continue to lobby the federal government to fulfill its 2006 pledge.
ALLOCATIONS OF NEW OFFICERS TO FIRST NATIONS UNDER THE PORF PROGRAM
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Name of Police Service - Number of Officers Hired
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Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service (http://www.akwesasne.ca/Police.html) - 2
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Anishinabek Police Service (http://www.apscops.org/) - 8
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Lac Seul Police Service - 1
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Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (http://www.naps.ca/) - 11
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Rama Police Service (http://www.mnjikaning.ca/contact.asp) - 1
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Six Nations Police Service (http://www.snpolice.ca/main.html) - 2
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Treaty Three Police Service (http://www.treatythreepolice.ca/) - 7
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United Chiefs and Council of Manitoulin Anishnabe Police Service (http://www.uccmpolice.com/) - 1
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Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (http://www.wikipolice.com/) - 1
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OFNPA (OPP administered) - 6
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Total 40
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For further information: Laura Blondeau, Minister's Office, (416) 325-4973; Patrice Cloutier, Communications Branch, (416) 326-9195