Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
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| Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service | |
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| NAPS logo | |
| Established: | 1994 |
| Headquarters: | 2027 Derek Burney Drive Thunder Bay, Ontario |
| Divisions: | 35 |
| Chief of Police: | Paul Trivett |
| Sworn officers: | 134 |
| Civilian employees: | 30 |
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The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) is the police force for Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN). Created in 1994, the force has 134 sworn officers at 35 detachments in NAN communities. The Chief Constable is Paul Trivett. Constables with NAPS have authority throughout Ontario.
NAPS is the most autonomous policing service in Canada, and its jurisdiction overs two-thirds of Ontario.[1] 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.[2]
NAPS receives 48% of its funding from the government of Ontario, and 52% from the government of Canada.[3]
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[edit] History
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service was formed on 14 January 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 1 April 1994 and lasted four years, when all First Nation constable positions were transferred to NAPS as "Division A". Phase two began on 1 January 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 1 June 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 1 April 1999.[1]
[edit] 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 the Nishnawbe Aski Nation gave the Government of Ontario 30 days to start relieving the situation or NAPS would have to pull out of many of the communities it polices.[4] On 26 March 2008, Kashechewan First Nation Chief Jonathan Soloman extended the deadline to 17 April 2008 after receiving indication that the Canadian and Ontario governments were interested in resolving the policing issue in NAPS-served communities.[5] As of 17 April 2008, negotiations were underway and going well.[3]
Out of 35 detachments, only the Moose Cree First Nation detachment meets building codes.[6] Since early 2007, the Summer Beaver detachment was condemned and closed down, and the Marten Falls detachment was destroyed by fire. Many detachments are fire hazards, infected with rodents and have crumbling foundations.[7] A fire at the Kashechewan First Nation detachment on 9 January 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.[7]
NAPS has an annual budget of $23,000,000,[9] and the estimated cost to replace or renovate ageing detachments would cost approximately $34,000,000.[7] NAPS officers work alone 75% of the time,[9] and have one of the highest turn over rates in North America.[10]
[edit] "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.[6]
[edit] 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]
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[edit] 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]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service History. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
- ^ Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service About. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
- ^ a b "Kashechewan to stay with NAPS, negotiations positive", CNW Group (17 April 2008) Retrieved 19 April 2008.
- ^ "Aboriginal territory can't go on with medieval police detachments: chiefs, The Canadian Press (25 February 2008) Retrieved 26 February 2008.
- ^ "Kashechewan extends deadline as NAPS heads back to negotiating table", CNW Group (26 March 2008) Retrieved 26 March 2008.
- ^ a b Burkowski, Peter. "NAN seeks help for 'policing crisis'", The Chronicle-Journal (4 February 2008) Retrieved 18 February 2008.
- ^ a b c Puxley, Chinta. "Reserve closes 'dangerous' police station", The Toronto Star (4 February 2008) Retrieved 18 February 2008.
- ^ "Ontario Regional Chief challenges federal and provincial governments to respond to the First Nation policing funding crisis", CNW Group (4 February 2008) Retrieved 18 February 2008.
- ^ a b "Acute NAPS housing shortage may rob north of police services", TBSource (12 February 2008) Retrieved 18 February 2008.
- ^ "Reserve closes police station due to health and safety violations, calls for help, The Canadian Press (5 February 2008) Retrieved 18 February 2008.
- ^ "Documentary draws attention to NAPS underfunding", TBSource (16 January 2008) Retrieved 18 February 2008.
- ^ Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Detachments. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
- ^ Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Contact Information. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
- ^ Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Police Services Board. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
