August 15th, 2005

For Immediate Release
Attention: New Editors

New Ontario Program could provide Firsts Nation and Northern Communities with 60 net new officers

The Ontario government has announced The Safer Communities – 1,000 Officers Partnership Program which will spend $37 million annually to help hire 1,000 new police officers in Ontario. The program is available to First Nation and Northern Communities with up to 60 net new officers with funding at the rate of $70,000 per officer per year.

Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse welcomes the availability of new resources as a small step to provide some relief to First Nation policing needs.

“First Nations in Ontario have been expressing the need for more policing resources in their communities. It is a start, but more capacity, both with respect to facilities and equipment and operations and maintenance, is required in addressing the policing needs in First Nation communities. More resources and planning between First Nations, federal and provincial governments is required to more effectively deal with the policing situation in First Nations communities.”

The purpose of the program is to deploy 1,000 new officers, 500 for community policing duties such as patrolling streets, working with schools and enhancing traffic enforcement. The remaining 500 officers will be deployed to what the government considers its top six priority areas, which include: youth crime; guns and gangs; organized crime especially marijuana grow operations; dangerous offenders; domestic violence; and protecting children from internet luring and child pornography.

Police service organizations in First Nation and Northern communities are eligible for salary-related (salary and benefits) and overtime costs to a cap of $70,000 per annum per new officer. The process is application driven and the deadline to apply is September 30, 2005.

Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse further stated, “I am disappointed that First Nations and northern communities were lumped into the same category. Our policing situation is quite different then non-native communities in the north; First Nations lack proper policing infrastructure, equipment, crime prevention programs, and special policing services within our communities. Furthermore, the availability of resources to enhance First Nations policing should not distinguish between First Nations self-directed policing services and First Nations communities operating under First Nations policing arrangements with the OPP. ”

Currently, 22 First Nation communities do not directly administer their own policing services and require agreements with the Ontario Provincial Police to administer service.

For further information: Nathan Wright, Chiefs of Ontario (519) 750-1016