Cross Lake Detachment

Contact Information:
Box 68
Cross Lake, MB
R0B 0J0
Phone: (204) 676-2600
Fax: (204) 676-2080

Location:
Cross Lake is located on the Nelson River system, approximately 825 kilometres north of Winnipeg. It is accessible by air and road. The road to Cross Lake has been connected by the Kissippi Bridge constructed and completed in the fall of 2004.

Local Population:
The people of Cross Lake are Cree and speak their language fluently. Cross Lake is divided into two set communities: Pimicikamak First Nation, with approximately 5,000 reserve residents, and the community (off-reserve) of Cross Lake, with approximately 600 residents.

RCMP Detachment:
There are currently 14 regular members stationed in Cross Lake and three full-time support staff workers. Cross Lake has, at present, six police vehicles. We have one inland water transport, two snow machines and two ATVs.

Community-based problem solving:

Often, groups are already in place to deal with ongoing concerns or community projects. The following details what community challenges are being addressed by the members of the RCMP in partnership with their community. The major working groups include:

Disciplinary Committee: This committee was formed due to the lack of policies in place at the school to deal with frequently-occurring behavioural problems. The detachment commander serves on this committee, along with teachers from the junior high (Mikisew) school as well as members of other social agencies including Awasis and Child and Family Services.

Wellness Group Crisis Line: The Wellness Group Crisis Line was set up in 2000 and, as a result, the suicide rates have drastically declined. Members of the detachment are still involved in offering assistance and intervention on almost a daily basis.

Awasis Interagency Alcohol Review Committee: A member of this detachment meets with a group consisting of representatives from Awasis Agency, Child and Family Services, NADAP, and the Band Council. Policies are set regarding the roles and duties of each agency, and protocol has been established regarding what action is to be taken in various circumstances. A member attends only to assist other service providers in their duties.

Alcohol Response: At meetings with Chief and Council, it was identified that alcohol and alcohol-related offences were an issue for this community. Members have joined forces with the Band Constables in an attempt to curb these issues by increasing both reactive and proactive approaches. The Check Stop program has been instituted and Liquor Control Act offences have been laid. Joint patrols are made throughout the evening and early morning hours to increase police visibility and reduce potential alcohol related-incidents. Talks on responsible alcohol consumption are given at school.

Interagency Committee: Partnerships with the nursing staff, government departments, and all health-related agencies in Cross Lake afford us the opportunity to discuss protocol, to establish policy, and to problem-solve for emergency situations. This networking is ongoing but the meetings are usually held semiannually. Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Personnel, federal nurses, doctors, Awasis Agency and the Chief and Council have all been involved in brain storming to help solve problems.

Cross Lake Education Authority: Schools are assigned to members and talks on drugs, law, bullying, etc. are given throughout the school year. Two DARE officers participate with the lower grades. Regular contact is maintained with the principals of both the high school and junior high school to discuss problems or situations which arise.

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Restorative and alternative justice:

Nationwide, members of the RCMP are involved in alternative justice processes, whether volunteering as facilitators or sitting on steering committees. Each community may embrace a different form of restorative justice, be it community justice forums, circle sentencing, or mediation.

Community Justice/Restorative Justice: One community justice worker is appointed by Probation Services on a part-time basis. This worker deals with the Fine Option Program, Community Service Work Program, and court diversions. First-time offender cases are referred either by the courts or by the detachment for alternate solutions to criminal charges. The offender must complete requirements deemed necessary by the community justice worker. Upon successful completion of the conditions, the court issues a stay of proceedings on the charge(s).

Restorative Justice: Investigators are encouraged to use their discretion, which may include counselling, education, cautioning referrals, and written and verbal warnings as alternatives to formal criminal charges.

Crime prevention:

Members of the RCMP are involved with a number of programs designed to prevent crime in our communities through both indirect and direct intervention. From school talks to youth initiatives to community safety plans, the goal of crime prevention programs is to target the roots of potential criminal and social problems. Members of the RCMP are involved in the following initiatives:

Suicide Intervention: Initiatives are being made through this office to have more community resource people trained in suicide intervention.

School Talks: School talks are done on a regular basis for all schools on various topics such as snowmobile safety, impaired driving, drugs, and other prevention topics. Members also promote the RCMP as a career option during these school visits. School talks on bullying have been given to between 500 and 600 students over the past two years.

Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE): One member of this detachment is actively involved in implementing and teaching DARE to Grades 5 and 6.

Snowmobile Safety Course: This involves taking children from various grades and schools out to Jenpeg for an entire day of lessons.

Local Communications and Media: Crime Stoppers bulletins are often placed on the local radio and television stations for any unsolved crimes in the Cross Lake area. Local media have been very effective in delivering information to the public regarding unsolved crimes.

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Police-community relations:

Without a solid base upon which to work, the police cannot hope to build the necessary partnerships with the community to prevent crime and to solve community problems. Members of the RCMP strive to build those bridges by appreciating the needs of the communities in which they work and live. Their commitment to the community goes beyond simple participation as residents, but also as active members of the community. Members of the RCMP are involved in the following initiatives:

• School Liaison
• Office Tours
• Science Fairs
• Career Days
• Red Serge Duty
• First Nations Band Constables
• Emergency Medical Responders (EMR)
• Sporting Events

Quality service through strategic partnerships:

The community also benefits directly and indirectly from strategic partnerships that the RCMP forms with other law enforcement and governmental agencies as well as with as with other community groups. Several unique associations have been formed:

• Native Alcohol Drug Abuse Program (NADAP)
• Awasis Agency
• Health Services
• Chief and Council
• Community Mayor and Council
• Emergency Measures Organization
• Education
• Local Media Support