Ontario Police Leaders Visit First Nations Communities

Press Relese

OACP President Chief Jeff McGuire led a Board delegation on a fact-finding tour to several First Nations communities on April 11, 2016. Joining Chief McGuire were Past President Chief Jennifer Evans, Vice-President Chief Bryan Larkin, Secretary/Treasurer Chief Kimberley Greenwood, Zone 1A Director Deputy Chief Andrew Hay, and Director of Government Relations and Communications Joe Couto.

The tour was arranged by Chief Terry Armstrong, who serves as Chief of Police of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service and First Nations Director on the OACP Board. The delegation engaged officers and band leaders in the communities of Fort Hope, Bearskin Lake, and Shacigo.

The major issues the group learned about were:

• The lack of human resources to service remote First Nations communities;
• The poor infrastructure at detachments;
• The housing challenges faced by officers in most detachments; and
• The wage disparity between First Nations officers and their counterparts in other parts of the province.

The OACP will continue to advocate for fairness and support for our police services and officers serving First Nations communities across Ontario.  Check out our photo album of the trip on the OACP’s

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