First Nations police deal not adequate, NAN says

NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler does not welcome the federal government’s Feb. 4 announcement to maintain funding over the next five years for policing agreements with First Nation and Inuit communities under the First Nations Policing Program.
“There was no details given on the announcement, there was no indication of any increase (in funding), there was no indication that the Police Officer Recruitment Fund would be renewed,” Fiddler said the day after the announcement was made. “We see it as a status quo, an extension of the old model that has been in place for NAPS (Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service) since 1994.”
The federal government announced a five year extension to First Nations and Inuit policing services on Mar. 4.
Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said the federal government is committed to keeping “our streets and communities safe.”
“Today’s announcement provides stable multi-year funding for policing services in First Nation and Inuit communities,” Toews said. “Our government will continue to support First Nation and Inuit policing.”
The agreement provides five years of guaranteed funding for police forces such as Nishnawbe-Aski Police Services, although it fails to address the calls for First Nations police forces to be legislated like provincial and municipal forces.
Fiddler and Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Acting Chief of Police Bob Herman had both recently called for NAPS to be operated as a legislated police service instead of the program it currently operates as.
“We would be obligated to meet those (legislated) standards and we would need proper resourcing to meet those standards,” Fiddler had said.
Fiddler said NAPS has been operating for the past 18 years, since it was founded, as a program subject to capped funding and funding cuts.
Herman also called for an increase in funding, noting that NAPS has not had a significant increase in funding since 2009.
“Other police services are properly funded and each year can actually get their funding increased to meet their needs,” Herman said.
National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo welcomed the announcement by Toews.
“An immediate renewal of funding and then a commitment to working towards long term sustainability is very important,” Atleo said. “Now we must turn our attention to all jurisdictions working together to strengthen and secure First Nations policing through partnership and innovation. It is essential that we promote and deliver on safety and security for all of our communities.”
The First Nations Policing Program supports professional, dedicated and culturally-responsive policing services to First Nation and Inuit communities. The program provided funding to 163 policing agreements in 2012-13.