Wapekeka signs policing milestone

In what is being called a “milestone” by the leadership of Wapekeka, the First Nation has ended its agreement with Nishnawbe-Aski Police Services (NAPS) by signing the Ontario First Nations Policing Agreement.
The signing on March 22 in Sioux Lookout by Wapekeka Chief Norman Brown means the First Nation will now consider how best to provide policing for its members – either through an agreement with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) or through a community-operated police force.
“We’ve been working hard for a number of years to secure proper policing services to ensure that the community’s health and safety is a top priority,” said Darcy Harper, Wapekeka’s lead on its efforts to get the agreement signed.
“The community is happy and pleased, and the leadership is pleased to have this type of agreement made available,” Harper added.
Wapekeka surveyed community members in 2009 to determine whether to continue having NAPS provide policing in the community or to move to having policing provided by the OPP. The results were in favour of the OPP.
Harper explained that under the Ontario First Nations Policing Agreement, it is possible for a First Nation to hire and run its own police force. Following the signing of the agreement the community is now going to examine whether to take that route, or have the OPP provide policing in Wapekeka, Harper said.
“What we’re hoping to gain is that the community will work directly with the police services of choice, to ensure that police have a proper working relationship in conjunction with the community itself,” Harper said.
He said the community taking a more active role in policing may also encourage youth in Wapekeka to pursue policing in the future.
“We have so many youngsters, and this may open the door for them to get into health and safety,” Harper said.
Harper acknowledged that Wapekeka had concerns with the level of service provided by NAPS, similar to the concerns expressed recently by Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
“With the underfunding (of NAPS), it is not capable of handling the type of services we require,” Harper said. “We’ve gone as a progressive community to meet the provision of health and safety for the community.”
The struggles of NAPS to provide adequate services across the north has been highlighted recently, as the force continues to call for First Nations policing funding to be increased to the levels of provincial and municipal police services. NAPS also wants to be a legislated police force, rather than the program it is now.
The federal government has announced it will extend NAPS funding contract for another five years, however with no increase to the level of funding the police force receives.
NAPS current contract expires at the end of March. NAN has stated it will not sign the new agreement since its demand for changes in funding and legislation have not been addressed.
As for Wapekeka, the signing of the Ontario First Nations Policing Agreement is just one step on its efforts to establish a new policing model in the community. As Harper explained, there is more work to be done not only deciding on how to proceed but also in working towards an extension of the agreement. The agreement signed on March 22 gives Wapekeka a one-year funding agreement, but the First Nation hopes to extend it to a five-year agreement next year.
Harper said the Wapekeka leadership is thinking of the community’s youth with this agreement.
“We have to try and mold a type of service that the community will benefit from in the future,” Harper said. “If we are successful, it is indeed a celebratory time for the First Nation."