First Nations policing not the only support needed, says File Hills police chief

Calls for more Indigenous police forces have grown louder in Canada since the stabbing rampage on the James Smith Cree Nation and recent assaults on other First Nations.

Even though the File Hills First Nations Police Service has existed for almost 20 years, Chief Paul Avanthay says it took time before things got better.

“When we initially arrived, the crime stats went up because we were hearing more and seeing more. But generally, over time, our crime stats are either staying steady or reducing in some areas due to our police presence,” he said.

Avanthay used to work for the RCMP and knows detachments often are far from First Nations. He says having officers in a First Nations community gives them a better chance of connecting with people.

“Having our members on the First Nations out there doing our patrols, policing and knowing that we’re out in the community and available for the community has been quite the detriment for criminal activity as opposed to being called to the community from an outside agency,” he said.

The move to create more Indigenous police forces took a step Monday, when the Prince Albert Grand Council signed a Letter of Intent with the federal and provincial governments, starting a process that will help create new public safety initiatives for the PAGC’s member nations.

Avanthay noted it isn’t just a police service that communities need, as other supports are required as well.

“There is also a shortfall in other areas such as the education system (and) the child and family services. All the capacity as a whole in a lot of Indigenous communities has to be built up,” Avanthay said.

But he knows safety is paramount for all community members.

“Public safety is the bottom line and I think most communities, they want to ensure they have the police presence for public safety regardless of who the service provider is going to be,” Avanthay said.

He added resources for things like treatment centres are also needed.

Avanthay says even though File Hills police officers are there to patrol and service the community, the relationships they build are just as important.