Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
Logo of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service.
Agency overview
Formed	1994
Legal personality	Governmental: Government agency
Jurisdictional structure
General nature	Law enforcement Civilian agency
Operational structure
Headquarters	309 Court Street South Thunder Bay, Ontario
Sworn members	134
Unsworn members	30
Agency executive	Claude Chum[1], Chief of Police
Facilities
Divisions	35
Website
Official website

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) is the police force for Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN). Created in 1994, the force has 175 sworn officers at 35 detachments in NAN communities. The Chief of Police is vacant with Robin Jones Acting Chief of Police. Constables with NAPS have authority throughout Ontario.

NAPS is the most autonomous policing service in Canada, and its jurisdiction covers two-thirds of Ontario.^[2] It is the largest First Nations police force in Canada, and the second largest in North America. It is one of two police services in Ontario to have its own plane.^[3]

NAPS receives 48% of its funding from the government of Ontario, and 52% from the government of Canada.^[4]

History

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service was formed on January 14, 1994 when the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Services Agreement was signed by the governments of Canada, Ontario, and the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. The primary goal of the agreement is the establishment of an aboriginal policing service to provide efficient, effective and culturally appropriate policing to the Nishnawbe-Aski communities.

The first phase of the agreement began on April 1, 1994 and lasted four years, when all First Nation constable positions were transferred to NAPS as "Division A". Phase two began on January 1, 1998 when Wahgoshig, Matachewan, Mattagami, Brunswick House, Chapleau Ojibwe, Chapleau Cree, Constance Lake and Aroland First Nations were transferred to "Division A" of NAPS.

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service gained responsibility for the OPPs Northwest Patrol Unit on June 1, 1998, excluding the communities of Big Trout Lake, Weagamow, Muskrat Dam, and Pikangikum. An Operations Transition Committee was formed to oversee the transfer of administrative and operations matter between NAPS and the OPP. The transition was complete on April 1, 1999.^[2]

Hardships

Due to a lack of funding, many NAPS detachments fail to meet national building codes, and many officers in the force do not have permanent residences or live in crowded conditions. On February 25, 2008 Chief Jonathan Soloman of Kashechewan First Nation gave the Government of Ontario 30 days to start relieving the situation or he would pull his community out of the NAPS policing agreement.^[5] On March 26, 2008, Kashechewan First Nation Chief Jonathan Soloman extended the deadline to April 17, 2008 after receiving indication that the Canadian and Ontario governments were interested in resolving the policing issue in NAPS-served communities.^[6] As of April 17, 2008, negotiations were underway and going well.^[4]

Out of 35 detachments, only the Moose Cree First Nation detachment meets building codes.^[7]A fire at the Kashechewan First Nation detachment on January 9, 2006 severely injured an officer and killed two inmates as they could not be rescued.^[8]

The Kasabonika First Nation detachment was closed in early February 2008 as it lacked running water and relied on a wood fire in a 170 litre drum to heat the facility. Holding cells lacked toilet facilities, requiring detainees to use a slop bucket. Prisoners now must be flown to Sioux Lookout, costing as much as $10,000 per trip.^[9]

NAPS has an annual budget of $23,000,000,^[10] and the estimated cost to replace or renovate ageing detachments would cost approximately $34,000,000.^[9]

"A Sacred Calling"

A Sacred Calling is an 18 minute documentary which focuses on the difficulties of policing remote NAN communities in Northern Ontario as a result of insufficient funding. The documentary was made by Deputy Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald, who hopes the film will get attention from the federal and provincial governments to help rectify the situation.^[11] The film shows officers living in motels, and using wood blocks to hold inmates in their cells.^[7]

Detachments

Detachments are located in 35 communities.^[12] Its headquarters are located at 2027 Derek Burney Drive in Thunder Bay. It has regional offices in Cochrane and Sioux Lookout.^[13]

Northwest Region Bearskin Lake First Nation Cat Lake First Nation Deer Lake First Nation Eabametoong First Nation Fort Severn First Nation Kasabonika First Nation Keewaywin First Nation Kingfisher First Nation Lansdowne House First Nation Mishkeegogamang First Nation Muskrat Dam First Nation Nibinamik First Nation North Spirit Lake First Nation Poplar Hill First Nation Sachigo Lake First Nation Sandy Lake First Nation Slate Falls First Nation Wapekeka First Nation Webequie First Nation Wunnumin Lake First Nation

Northeast Region Aroland First Nation Attawapiskat First Nation Brunswick House First Nation Chapleau Cree First Nation Chapleau Ojibway First Nation Constance Lake First Nation Fort Albany First Nation Kashechewan First Nation Marten Falls First Nation Matachewan First Nation Mattagami First Nation Moose Factory First Nation New Post First Nation Peawanuck First Nation Wahgoshig First Nation

Governance

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is governed by a police services board consisting of a representative from each NAN Tribal Council. NAPS is governed by its own police services board consisting of a representative of each Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Tribal Council. An independent review board ensures accountability to the public.^[14]

References

1. ^ "NAPS names new chief", TBSource (February 25, 2009) Retrieved February 25, 2009.
2. ^ ^{a b} Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service History. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
3. ^ Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service About. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
4. ^ ^{a b} "Kashechewan to stay with NAPS, negotiations positive", CNW Group (April 17, 2008) Retrieved April 19, 2008.
5. ^ "Aboriginal territory can't go on with medieval police detachments: chiefs, The Canadian Press (February 25, 2008) Retrieved February 26, 2008.
6. ^ "Kashechewan extends deadline as NAPS heads back to negotiating table", CNW Group (March 26, 2008) Retrieved March 26, 2008.
7. ^ ^{a b} Burkowski, Peter. "NAN seeks help for 'policing crisis'", The Chronicle-Journal (February 4, 2008) Retrieved February 18, 2008.
8. ^ "Ontario Regional Chief challenges federal and provincial governments to respond to the First Nation policing funding crisis", CNW Group (February 4, 2008) Retrieved February 18, 2008.
9. ^ ^{a b} Puxley, Chinta. "Reserve closes 'dangerous' police station", The Toronto Star (Retrieved February 4, 2008) Retrieved February 18, 2008.
10. ^ "Acute NAPS housing shortage may rob north of police services", TBSource (February 12, 2008) Retrieved February 18, 2008.
11. ^ "Documentary draws attention to NAPS underfunding", TBSource (January 16, 2008) Retrieved February 18, 2008.
12. ^ Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Detachments. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
13. ^ Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Contact Information. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
14. ^ Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Police Services Board. Retrieved February 18, 2008.

External links

• Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
• "A Sacred Calling" Documentary video. Retrieved 2010.05.21