RCMP Aboriginal Policing


Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing

ABORIGINAL POLICING BRANCH

Develops and evaluates practical and culturally sensitive policing services that are acceptable to Aboriginal peoples.
Consults with national Aboriginal organizations so that policies and programs reflect the needs of Aboriginal communities.
Promotes and encourages the recruitment of Aboriginal people into the RCMP
Develops and sponsors proactive and preventive programs specific to Aboriginal communities, including:

RCMP Aboriginal Youth Training Program (AYTP)

Provides Aboriginal young people with 17 weeks of summer employment, including three weeks training at Regina, Saskatchewan.
After returning to a detachment near their home, students work under the direct supervision and guidance of a regular member of the RCMP
Major funding partner is Aboriginal Policing Directorate, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada.
Number of candidates each year is dependent on the amount of funding.

RCMP/Community Suicide Intervention Program

Begun in 1994, funding for this program ended in March 1999.
RCMP seeking alternative funding to continue.
Training consists of a 5-day program that includes: two days of suicide intervention training; a one day healing/talking circle, a component of Aboriginal spirituality; training in critical incident stress debriefing; and community development.
A community-based approach that links existing national training resources to people and organizations at the community level. Community partnerships are essential to this process.
More than 1240 people received training in 49 workshop sessions in locations such as: Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Iqaluit, Terrace, Puvirnituq, Haines-Junction and Inuvik .
In 1996, the Canadian Mental Health Association awarded the RCMP the C.M. Hincks Award for achievement in the field of mental health.
Aboriginal Policing Branch is spearheading a project to adapt the program into a peer-suicide approach to confront the high incidence of youth suicides in Aboriginal communities.
Initiative will include youth training and peer support and a pilot for evaluation purposes in six schools across the country.
The five-year funding for this new phase provided by the National Crime Prevention Centre.

The Commissioner's National Aboriginal Advisory Committee (CNAAC)

Meets twice yearly.
Comprised of 13 Aboriginal people who meet in various communities across the country.
Mandate is "to provide a forum for the continuing discussion of recruiting, training and community relations with respect to Aboriginal people, intercultural relations and other related matters that may emerge from time to time."

Community-based approach that brings together all people touched by a crime, including family and friends of both victim and disputant.
Parties discuss the incident and negotiate a resolution.
Law enforcement agencies play an important role through the judicious use of police discretion.
RCMP has become an active partner with Justice Canada, through a commitment to the Aboriginal Justice Strategy.
A core group of members and community people from across Canada have been trained to facilitate the forums and set in motion the restorative justice process in the police community.
Training now a component of the Cadet Training Program.
Canadian Police College and the RCMP developing a package to make these accessible to all police organizations.

First Nations Policing Policy (FNPP) introduced by the federal government to provide First Nations (including Inuit communities) access to police services that are culturally appropriate and accountable.

The Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada administers the FNPP.

Under the policy, the federal, provincial/territorial governments, and the communities work together to negotiate community tripartite agreements for police services that meet the particular needs of each community.

The RCMP-FNCPS model incorporates the principles and objectives of the FNPP, including:
- service levels equivalent to non-First Nations communities;
- compatibility and sensitivity to First Nations culture and beliefs;
- accommodating local variations in policing needs; and
- a framework that allows for transition to an independent First Nations-administered police service if the community desires.

The RCMP will ensure communities are involved from the start in the design, implementation and on-going delivery of their police services.

See also:

Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing