September 1, 2022
Manitoba Government Supports First Nations Police Service with Funding to Purchase Equipment and Training
– – –Funds Will Offset Costs While Modernizing MFNPS: Goertzen
The Manitoba government is supporting law enforcement partners by providing $155,100 through the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund (CPFF) to the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) to purchase equipment and undergo training that will enhance human resource capacity, investigative capabilities and service delivery, Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced today.
“Our government remains committed to improving law enforcement services around the province to enhance public confidence in law enforcement and the justice system, and to help keep Manitobans safe in their communities,” said Goertzen. “This funding will help the MFNPS enhance its ability to conduct its important work in the communities they are proud to serve while contributing to the further modernization of our province’s criminal justice system.”
The support from the CPFF will assist MFNPS in purchasing equipment and providing staff training in several important aspects of law enforcement including:
- intoxilyzer/breathalyzer technician training;
- forensic analysis;
- use of drones in investigations; and
- software and training for front-line staff.
MFNPS will also use CPFF support to develop gang reduction strategies, assist in drug- and crime-related investigations and provide integrated approaches to interpersonal violence and abuse.
“$155,100 goes a long way to support the work of the MFNPS to ensure community safety and well-being,” said Doug Palson, police chief, MFNPS. “Further, it represents a significant commitment on the part of Manitoba Justice towards the advancement of First Nations policing in our province as this funding will be dedicated to initiatives that otherwise would not be possible. At least, not this year.”
The minister noted Manitoba has continuously advocated for consistent, equitable and sustainable long-term funding for First Nations policing in Manitoba from the federal government. This includes sending a letter in July to the federal minister of public safety Marco Mendicino, asking to receive an equitable distribution of total funding from the federal government based on Manitoba’s on-reserve First Nations population. Currently, Manitoba receives only eight per cent of the total annual First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) funding, despite having the largest per-capita Indigenous population including 19 per cent of the total on-reserve population. Under the current funding formula, 45 of 63 First Nations in Manitoba do not receive any dedicated, in-community policing services under the FNIPP.
First Nations communities in Manitoba experience some of the highest violent crime rates in Canada, and several northern Manitoba First Nations are in remote and isolated locations without full-time police presence. First Nations policing is an essential service and the Manitoba government calls on the federal government to expand the FNIPP to fund all Manitoba First Nations policing services.
Since its inception in 2009, the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund has distributed more than $20 million back to communities throughout the province. The program seizes and liquidates criminal assets, and redirects funding to projects and initiatives designed to protect Manitobans and enhance public safety. The funds are provided to organizations across Manitoba whose important initiatives continue to build community, invest in youth and support victims of crime, noted the minister.
For more information about criminal property forfeiture, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/justice/commsafe/cpf/index.html.
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