Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service

"NAPS" redirects here. For the United States Naval Academy's preparatory school, see Naval Academy Preparatory School.
Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service

Logo of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
Agency overview
Formed 1994
Legal personality Governmental: Government agency
Jurisdictional structure
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters 309 Court Street South
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Elected officer responsible The Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Agency executive Terry Armstrong[1], Chief of Police
Facilities
Divisions 35
Website
Official website

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) is the police agency for Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN). The agency has 134 First Nations Constables who have the powers of police officers in Ontario. They are assigned to 35 detachments in NAN communities. Mr. Terry Armstrong was appointed Chief of Police effective September 3, 2013.

NAPS is the largest First Nations police agency in Canada and the second largest in North America. NAPS is responsible for a jurisdiction that includes two-thirds of Ontario, a land area approximately the size of France.[2] NAPS receives 48% of its funding from the government of Ontario, and 52% from the government of Canada.[3]

History

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service was formed on January 14, 1994 through a tri-partite agreement between the governments of Canada, Ontario, and the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. The primary goal of the agreement is the establishment of an aboriginal agency 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 from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to NAPS. 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.

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

Many NAPS detachments fail to meet national building codes and many officers live in crowded conditions or lack residences in the communities in which they serve. 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.[4] On March 26, 2008, Chief Soloman extended the deadline after receiving indication that the Canadian and Ontario governments were interested in resolving policing issues in NAPS-served communities.[5] A new policing agreement was reached in 2009 but funding for infrastructure shortcomings remains unresolved.

Out of 35 detachments, only the Moose Cree First Nation detachment meets building codes.[6] A fire at the Kashechewan First Nation detachment on January 9, 2006 killed two persons held in the lockup and severely injured an officer during a rescue attempt.[7]

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.[8]

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.[8]

"A Sacred Calling"

A Sacred Calling is an 18 minute documentary which focuses on the difficulties of policing remote NAN communities in Northern Ontario which are compounded by 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.[10] The film shows officers living in motels, and using wood blocks to hold inmates in their cells.[6]

Detachments

Detachments are located in 35 communities.[11] NAPS headquarters is located at 309 Court Street South, Thunder Bay. It has regional offices in Cochrane, Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay.[12]

Northwest Region - Sioux Lookout
Northeast Region - Cochrane
Central Region - Thunder Bay

Governance

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is governed by a board consisting of a representative of each Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Tribal Council. An independent review board ensures accountability to the communities.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "", Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service History. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Kashechewan to stay with NAPS, negotiations positive", CNW Group (April 17, 2008) Retrieved April 19, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Aboriginal territory can't go on with medieval police detachments: chiefs, The Canadian Press (February 25, 2008) Retrieved February 26, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Kashechewan extends deadline as NAPS heads back to negotiating table", CNW Group (March 26, 2008) Retrieved March 26, 2008.
  6. 1 2 Burkowski, Peter. "NAN seeks help for 'policing crisis'", The Chronicle-Journal (February 4, 2008) Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. 1 2 Puxley, Chinta. "Reserve closes 'dangerous' police station", The Toronto Star (Retrieved February 4, 2008) Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  9. ↑ "Acute NAPS housing shortage may rob north of police services", TBSource (February 12, 2008) Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  10. ↑ "Documentary draws attention to NAPS underfunding", TBSource (January 16, 2008) Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  11. ↑ Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Detachments. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  12. ↑ Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Contact Information. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  13. ↑ Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Police Services Board. Retrieved February 18, 2008.

External links

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