Oxford House Detachment

Contact Information:
Box 267
Oxford House, MB
R0B 1C0
Ph: (204) 538-2046
Fax: (204) 538-2370

Location:
Oxford House First Nation (Bunbonibee Cree Nation) is located along the northeastern shore of Oxford Lake at the mouth of the Hayes River. It consists of one parcel of land covering approximately 12,049 acres.

Local Population:
The Oxford House First Nation has an on-reserve population of 2,000 people. The native language spoken here is Cree.

RCMP Detachment:
There are seven members, one full-time and one half-time Public Service Employee. The detachment maintains a fleet of three vehicles, one 20-ft watercraft, two ATVs, and two snow machines.

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:

Oxford House Awasis Agency: Our members immediately address any issues or concerns involving the neglect, harm, or health of a child. This partnership is maintained through regular meetings, which are arranged as issues arise. Through meaningful dialogue and the exchange of information, we identify solutions to problems such as family visits, child placement, parental guidance, anger management, and counselling.

Oxford House Multi-Agency Committee: The purpose of this newly formed initiative is to bring local resource groups together, which will inevitably create new partnerships. Through these partnerships, we are able to identify areas of mutual concern. We share relevant information and maximize our problem-solving capabilities.

Oxford House Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NADAP): The purpose is to provide intervention and prevention programs in the area of alcohol and drug abuse. Members of this detachment work closely with the agency. We attend meetings, share relevant information, and provide presentations and lectures on various topics.

Oxford House Mental Health Workers: There are currently four community workers that address mental health issues in the community. They are trained in suicide risk assessment and intervention. They provide counselling for anger-management, family issues and relationship issues.

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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 Forums: The members of Oxford House are presently working with the Crown’s office, MKO and the magistrates to set up a forum.

Oxford House Community Justice Committee: As an alternative to the formal court process, some clients are referred to the Justice Committee. Referrals usually originate from the courts or the RCMP detachment. The co-ordinator is a local community member who ensures a mutually satisfactory outcome is reached by all parties involved. Members of this detachment are not directly involved but serve to refer cases to the co-ordinator. Members are often called upon to provide information regarding the circumstances of the conflict.

Restorative Justice: The detachment is involved in various forms of restorative practices. Members often mediate conflicts between clients to reach mutually agreeable solutions. Other alternative forms may be as simple as giving a suspect a verbal reprimand or arranging compensation for the victim. Some clients are referred to the local community justice committee to resolve the conflict.

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 and 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:

Auxiliary Constable Program: We currently have one auxiliary constable. The auxiliary constable is a positive addition to this unit and enhances the service we provide to the community.

School Liaison Officers: Two members from this detachment are assigned to each of the two schools in the community. The members interact with staff and students on a regular basis. They are available to the school as a resource person. Lectures and presentations are delivered, as requested. They will speak to the students one on one or in class settings.

Bullying Presentations: All students at the Elementary School were given the tools and knowledge to say no to “Bullies” and report the behavior to their parents and or teachers.

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE): We currently have two members presenting DARE to the Grade five class at the elementary school.

Other Crime Prevention Programs include:

• Traffic Checkstop Program

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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:

• Red Serge Duty
• Detachment Tours
• Contest Judging

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:

• Chief & Council
• Manitoba Conservation
• Local Search and Rescue Group
• Band Constables
• Nursing Station
• Oxford House Schools
• Provincial Court
• Crisis Centre
• Probation Services