AAPG Spring Conference Lethbridge, Alberta April 29 & 30, 2011

Governance of First Nations Police Services

The Minister may Exempt any part of Alberta from the operation of all or any portion of this Act, Exempt any part of Alberta from the operation of all or any portion of this Act, Make any arrangements or agreements the Minister considers proper for the policing of that part of Alberta exempted including the appointing of police officers Make any arrangements or agreements the Minister considers proper for the policing of that part of Alberta exempted including the appointing of police officers Section 5 of the Police Act

First Nations Policing Policy provides a choice of police service delivery to the First Nations, cost shared 52% federal, 48% Alberta First Nations Policing Policy provides a choice of police service delivery to the First Nations, cost shared 52% federal, 48% Alberta Choices for policing are: Self administered First Nation police service or Self administered First Nation police service or A Community Tripartite Policing Agreement A Community Tripartite Policing Agreement

Currently there are four self administered First Nation police services: Blood Tribe Police Service Blood Tribe Police Service Tsuu Tina Nation Police Service Tsuu Tina Nation Police Service Lakeshore Regional Police Service Lakeshore Regional Police Service North Peace Tribal Police Service North Peace Tribal Police Service

Each police service is governed by a police commission Police Commission is responsible for the: Operation of the police service at arms length from Council; Operation of the police service at arms length from Council; Approval of the objectives, priorities and the budget for the police service; Approval of the objectives, priorities and the budget for the police service;

Establishing policies providing for the efficient and effective policing of the First Nation; Establishing policies providing for the efficient and effective policing of the First Nation; Developing and maintaining an administrative manual describing the policies and operating procedures governing the management and operations of the police service; Developing and maintaining an administrative manual describing the policies and operating procedures governing the management and operations of the police service;

Maintaining the standards of performance for the Chief of Police; Maintaining the standards of performance for the Chief of Police; Ensuring the police officers are paid a comparable salary to other police services in Alberta; Ensuring the police officers are paid a comparable salary to other police services in Alberta; Hiring and employing the civilian staff. Hiring and employing the civilian staff.

Selection of candidates for the First Nations police commissions is outlined within the Tripartite policing agreements creating the police services; Be of good character, credible, good reputation with the First Nation; Be of good character, credible, good reputation with the First Nation; Fundamental knowledge of policing; Fundamental knowledge of policing;

Obtain a security check; Obtain a security check; No criminal record. No criminal record.

Alberta has learned lessons from past experience with our First Nation police services. Sound governance does not just happen.

With the assistance of departmental staff members, specifically Ms. Wolski, a training package for police commissions has been developed and presented to each police commission member. This training package prepares the new police commission members for some of the challenges that are ahead.

We are in the process of assessing a need to develop a phase II training package to those police commission members following one year on the job Compensation is provided to each First Nation police commission

Questions? Questions?