2026 FNCPA Mentorship Program for First Nations Police Leaders
Press Release
Description
The First Nations Chiefs of Police Association (FNCPA), in collaboration with the Québec Association of First Nations and Inuit Police Directors (QAFNIPD), is launching the 2026 Mentorship Program for Francophone First Nations police leaders.
Registration for the program is now open.
Deputy chiefs of police and aspiring leaders can now apply to the new mentorship program. This is a unique opportunity for police leaders working within First Nations police services in Québec to collaborate and expand their leadership development and collaboration skills, both now and in the future.
The program brings together experienced and less experienced senior leaders to participate in a leadership training and collaboration program specifically designed for new or aspiring chiefs of police. Mentees and mentors will meet for mentorship conversations and focused group training sessions to expand their knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities. The schedule is designed to accommodate participants’ busy schedules and offers structure, support, and flexibility.
Program Purpose and Learning Objectives
The program is designed to facilitate the development and expansion of a strong workforce within First Nations police services and will contribute to the professional policing careers of its members, both now and in the future. The program is designed to provide a safe space for learning and sharing knowledge and experiences between senior and less experienced leaders. The program is specifically designed for members working in a self-administered First Nations policing environment.
The program is designed to enable participants to:
- Develop mutually beneficial and enriching one-on-one professional relationships.
- Develop and expand their leadership skills, knowledge, and abilities, which will directly impact their strategic and executive capabilities.
- Benefit directly from the experience of more experienced senior First Nations police leaders and take on specific challenges and projects.
- Mentors will have a unique opportunity to share their knowledge and experience.
- Mentees will benefit from a unique networking opportunity.
Overview of Training Topics, Assignments, Logistics and Start Date
Overview of Training Topics
While the primary goal of the mentorship program is meaningful and constructive mentoring conversations, it will also offer targeted group training sessions scheduled monthly, to guide and structure the conversations and the development.
The program offers the following training themes, which will be delivered/facilitated monthly throughout the program (both virtually and in person) by experienced First Nations Chiefs of Police (except the Orientation):
- Program Launch and Orientation
- Your Leadership Profile
- Organizational Awareness and Strategic Management
- Ethics, Responsibility, and Public Accountability
- Effective Communications (Internal and External)
- Decision-Making and Critical Thinking
- Financial and Human Resource Management
- Cultural Sensitivity Training and Mental Health and Resilience
- Introduction to Police Governance
- Program Closing
Assignments
Participants will have the opportunity to enhance their learning throughout the program through relevant assignments:
- Reflection and application work
- Strategic project
- Group discussions
Logistics
Mentoring conversations and most training sessions will be conducted virtually in Zoom each month, with two to three opportunities for in-person meetings during the program.
Observation of the Mentor (shadowing): We also encourage participants to arrange a work-observation visit for the Mentee at the Mentor’s workplace during the program.
Here are some important logistical details:
- Monthly mentoring conversations of approximately 30 to 60 minutes are planned.
- Targeted virtual group training sessions will last 60 to 90 minutes, followed by group discussions.
- In-person sessions will be scheduled with the cohort.
Start Date
The program will run for a minimum of 12 months:
- Start — Initial Session: Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 1:30 PM EST (Program Launch and Orientation)
Participation and Commitment
As part of the Mentee/Mentor admission process, all participants are asked to confirm and commit to fully participating in the program activities, to the best of their abilities.
They will commit to their participation by signing the Participant Profile document upon registration, as well as the Participant Agreement document, which will be completed at the beginning of the program.
Application and Registration Process
Participant Admission Criteria
This program is for Francophone police leaders working in a First Nations police service.
Mentees:
- Hold a Deputy (or Acting) Director position.
- Aspire to a senior leadership position.
* Other candidates (at lower levels) are encouraged to apply and will be reviewed and considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Mentors:
- Hold a Director position
- Hold a Deputy Director position
Program Registration
Mentes and Mentors must complete one of the following application forms:
Mentees complete and submit the following documents:
- Mentee Profile form
- An up-to-date Resume
- A one-page letter of recommendation from the Director/Manager is sufficient, explaining how the applicant qualifies for the program and the benefits they will gain from it.
Mentors complete and submit the following documents:
- Mentor Profile Form
- An up-to-date Resume
The profile forms will be used for the Mentee/Mentor matching process, so it is important to fill out your form as completely as possible.
Admissions and Mentor/Mentor Pairing
All applications will be reviewed by the FNCPA/QADPFNI to ensure and facilitate the following:
- The application is complete and meets the eligibility criteria.
- The application will be reviewed based on the number of applications received.
- Once the application is complete and accepted, the Mentee/Mentor matching process will take place and will be based on the submitted Mentee and Mentor profile forms.
- All applicants will be notified if they are accepted into this year’s program cohort.
- The FNCPA, in collaboration with the QADPFNI, will confirm the admission process and provide a final review of the matching process.
Registration
- Submit your application as a Mentee or Mentor by email to the Mentorship Program Coordinator:
Hélène Roberge
Project.Trainer@fncpa.ca
- Registration deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026
For more information, please contact the Mentorship Program Coordinator:
Hélène Roberge
FNCPA Training Programs Specialist
(613) 618-9254
Project.Trainer@fncpa.ca
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