File Hills Police Service receives financial boost
- EFN Staff | June 25, 2014
Saskatchewan's only self-administered First Nations police agency received $8.2 million over four years to continue First Nations policing to the five File Hills First Nations communities.
This funding is cost-shared with the federal government providing $4.3 million and the Government of Saskatchewan providing $3.9 million.
According to Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, "The Government of Canada has a longstanding interest in supporting policing efforts in First Nation and Inuit Communities. By working with these communities and the provinces and territories, and by investing in critical policing infrastructure, we are providing law enforcement with the necessary tools to not only better protect the safety and security of our communities; but we are also continuing to build a safer and resilient Canada for generations to come."
"The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to support policing services that are professional, dedicated and responsive to the First Nation communities," adds Christine Tell, Corrections and Policing Minister.
The File Hills First Nations Police Service has nine police officers, including the Chief of Police, and five special constables for a total of 14 members. This police service is responsible for providing policing services to Little Black Bear, Okanese, Peepeekisis, Star Blanket and Carry the Kettle First Nations communities.
"The leadership of the File Hills First Nations acknowledge the support of the federal and provincial governments in reaching this agreement to work toward ensuring safe and secure communities for our people," says Star Blanket Cree Nation Chief Michael Starr. "Our Board of Police Commissioners and our Police Service members are dedicated to provide community-based policing in a culturally appropriate and prevention-first model."
The transition to a First Nations self-administered policing model began in 1993. At that time, the federal and provincial governments and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations signed an agreement which provided options to First Nations communities in relation to how they receive policing services.