(Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

New initiative

Battlefords RCMP launching First Nations Community Policing Unit

Feb 1, 2021 | 2:10 PM

The Battlefords RCMP are launching a First Nations Community Policing (FNCP) Unit starting this month to cover five surrounding area First Nations – Sweetgrass, Moosomin, Saulteaux, Red Pheasant, and Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man.

Insp. Tom Beck said during North Battleford council’s recent meeting, the unit “will be providing basically enhanced policing to our neighbouring Indigenous communities around the city of North Battleford.”

The unit will consist of one corporal, two constables, and one half-time public servant position that will assist with administrative duties. Beck said ideally all the positions will be staffed with individuals of Indigenous heritage.

Funding for the one corporal position is through the province, and the two constable positions will be paid jointly through the provincial and federal governments.

The corporal will oversee the unit, and act as a liaison to Red Pheasant and Mosquito. Of the two constable positions, one will cover Sweetgrass and other Moosomin/Saulteaux.

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It is expected some members will work out of the Battlefords RCMP satellite office in Cochin.

Beck told BattlefordsNOW the project has been in the works for awhile.

“I started looking at ways to try to put this team together almost two years ago,” he said.

He added the idea for the unit is to allow them the time to “actually build some community relations, and work on some of the enhanced policing projects that every First Nation community really is looking for.”

The FNCP Unit will be assigned to mainly community policing/crime reduction duties in the First Nation communities.

“The Battlefords First Nations Community Policing Unit is intended to promote and enhance community relations, community safety and build upon Truth and Reconciliation efforts with Indigenous communities,” Beck said.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW