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First Nation safety officers being trained in Thompson

Thompson is one of three training sites in the province for more than 100 First Nations safety officers who will work closely with the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies in 31 communities, many in Northern Manitoba, the provincial government ann

Thompson is one of three training sites in the province for more than 100 First Nations safety officers who will work closely with the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies in 31 communities, many in Northern Manitoba, the provincial government announced Jan. 13.

Training focused on topics including enforcement powers, arrest, searches and seizures, use of force and officer safety, among others, is being offered through Assiniboine Community College in Thompson, Dauphin and Brandon for students from 31 First Nations that received federal funding for the discontinued band constable program that this program replaces.

“First Nations communities deserve the same quality of policing and public safety that all Manitobans are entitled to,” said Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak.  (MKO) Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson in a news release. “We acknowledge this new program as a step toward public safety on First Nations that will provide safety officers from the communities with the necessary training to achieve that goal.”

Communities that the program will serve include Barren Lands First Nation, Cross Lake First Nation, God’s Lake First Nation, Manto Sipi First Nation, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, Misipawistik Cree Nation, Northlands Denesuline First Nation, Norway House Cree Nation, O-Pipon-Na-Piwin First Nation, Red Sucker Lake First Nation, Sayisi Dene First Nation, Shamattawa First Nation. St. Theresa Point First Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation, Wasagamack First Nation and York Factory First Nation.

“The First Nations Safety Officer Program is an important milestone in our province and we are excited to see this partnership with First Nation communities and the federal government move forward,” said Attorney General and Justice Minister Gord Mackintosh.  “Officers who are well-trained, and who know and understand their own communities, are critical to improving public safety for First Nations people.”

First Nation safety officers’ duties will include crime prevention, enforcing band bylaws and some provincial laws.

“Safety is a big concern in many of our communities, which is why the First Nations Safety Officer Program has been established to replace the Band Constable program cancelled by the previous federal government,” said Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson. “I am pleased that we are moving forward to ensure safety officers will be equipped with the training they need to help keep their communities safe.”

The program was created by the province in November 2014 to help replace the old federal band constable program. Manitoba and the federal government are providing $2.7 million in funding to support the new service.

“We look forward to this new partnership with the First Nation Safety Officers,” said RCMP “D” Division commanding officer Asst. Commissioner Kevin Brosseau. “They will be an important resource for communities and will work closely with RCMP officers across Northern Manitoba to prevent crime and enhance public safety.”

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