November 26, 2014
Manitoba Government Introduces Legislation that would Create First Nations Safety Officer Program
– – –New Policing Model Would Replace Band Constable Program in First Nations Communities: Minister Allum
The Manitoba government has introduced legislation that would create a new First Nations Safety Officer Program to help prevent crime in remote communities while also enforcing band bylaws and specific provincial laws, Justice Minister James Allum said today.
“With the federal Band Constable Program ending next year, the government of Manitoba is prepared to introduce a new program to provide important police services for First Nations communities,” Minister Allum said. “This is an opportunity to work with First Nations and the Government of Canada to replace the federal program with a more appropriate model, tailored to the specific needs of individual First Nations communities.”
Minister Allum noted the federal government informed the province and First Nations earlier this year the Band Constable Program would be terminated effective March 31, 2015. Band constables provide a critical first response in their communities, some of which are hours away from the nearest RCMP detachment. There are 31 communities currently served by the Band Constable Program.
“Band constables are often the first to respond to local issues, particularly in remote communities with no resident RMCP detachment,” Minister Allum said. “The new model has the potential to improve safety in the affected communities and put a greater emphasis on crime prevention.”
While proposed amendments to the Police Services Act would enable the establishment of the Safety Officer Program, the specific enforcement powers, crime prevention goals, training and other aspects of on-reserve policing would be determined in agreements with individual or groups of communities after appropriate consultations, the minister said.
“We do not condone federal offloading onto the province. All Manitobans have the right to bring up their families in a safe environment, regardless of where they live in the province,” said Chief Jim Bear of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. “We look forward to working with the province to establish a new level of high-quality policing that will address the specific needs of First Nations communities.”
The funding model will be finalized with the federal government and First Nations in the coming weeks, the minister said.
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