Powerview Detachment

Contact Information:
Box 250
Powerview, MB
R0E 1P0
Ph: (204) 367-8728
Fax: (204) 367-2802

Location:
The Powerview detachment policing area covers approximately 11,500 square kilometres. It is bordered by Ontario to the east and Lake Winnipeg to the west. Neighbouring detachments are Lac du Bonnet to the east, Beausejour to the south, Grand Marais (Selkirk) to the west and Bloodvein (Selkirk fly-in) to the north.

Local Population:
Approximately 13,000 people.

RCMP Detachment:
The detachment consists of 17 regular members and four support staff including the following: one Staff Sergeant, one Sergeant, two Corporals, 13 Constables and four Public Service Employees. The detachment maintains a fleet of seven patrol vehicles, two snow machines, two ATVs and one water transport.

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:

Child and Family Services: Due to the expansive and diverse nature of this policing area, four separate branches of Child and Family Services are commonly used to lend support in the fight against child abuse. A committee was established in order to maintain an open line of communication, to deal with any concerns, and to keep abreast of changes in policy within each of the organizations.

A detachment member is also part of a committee with representatives from each CFS agency that meet regularly to address any concerns or issues that may have arisen. The committee also worked together to develop an interview room for each agency to share by pooling resources and a team problem solving approach.

Northern Wellness Committee of North Eastman: This group promotes healthy communities within the boundaries of North Eastman through the development of local and regional inter-sectorial partnerships. A representative of the detachment sits on the committee to share information and to conduct education and training between local inter-sectorial committees. The committee is also a vehicle for looking at new ways of delivering services within existing resources in a more cost efficient and effective manner, as well as to avoid duplication of services.

Blue Water Inter-Agency Committee: This group promotes healthy communities within the area, and is comprised of representatives from various agencies including the school, public health, CFS, mental health, and the RCMP. This group is designed to identify local issues and take steps to resolve through the use of various available resources.

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.

Alternative Justice: The detachment is involved in a number of alternatives to the formal court process. In some cases, it may involve allowing the parents and/or school authorities to deal with a matter instead of pursuing the formal court process.

Restorative Justice: In recognition of the priority of restorative justice, the detachment sponsored a course to train justice forum facilitators during the fall of 2002. As a result of the restorative justice training, justice forums have been used more frequently and continue to be emphasized as a means of alternative resolution. Efforts are still underway to establish a formalized Restorative Justice Forum that will provide a more diverse service to other areas within our community.

Powerview Justice Committee: A newly established justice committee is operating in the community of Powerview - Pine Falls and is set to begin formal proceedings at this time. The committee is comprised of local volunteers, probation services and the RCMP.

Community Holistic Circle of Healing (CHCH): We have partnered with the CHCH program from Hollow Water along with the Department of Justice as a means of providing a valid alternative to the traditional judicial process in the handling of Criminal Code offences by following a community-based approach in dealing with both victims and offenders.

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:

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE): DARE is a comprehensive 17-week curriculum provided by one trained member to Grade 5 and Grade 6 students in the detachment area school. The main objective is the prevention of drug abuse and violence.

Band/Community Constables: Our office provides support and is called upon to assist in the training of Band/Community Constables for Sagkeeng, Little Black River, Manigotagan, Seymourville, and Hollow Water. A close working relationship is maintained with the various Band and Community Constables. They are a definite asset as they can normally respond quickly, and provide information about people and places in the area they police.

Auxiliary Constable Program: Our detachment currently has two auxiliary constables. They assist members in conducting routine policing patrols and are definitely an asset with new members in teaching them about the local area and people.

Other Crime Prevention Programs include:

• Rural Crime Watch
• Bylaw Enforcement
• Youth Committee
• School Liaison
• Snowman & Off Road Vehicles
• Addictions Awareness Week

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:

• Memorial Hockey Tournament
• Red Serge Duty & Parades
• Local Sports
• Terry Fox Run
• Festivals

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:

• Sagkeeng, Southeast, Eastman, and Winnipeg Child and Family Services
• Bissett Department of Natural Resources/Park Patrol
• Powerview and Grand Marais Department of Natural Resources
• Hollow Water, Little Black River and Sagkeeng (Fort Alexander) First Nations Chief and Councils
• Bissett, Manigotagan, Seymourville, Powerview, Pine Falls Mayor and Councils
• Victoria Beach Police
• Cottage Owner Associations
• Marine Search and Rescue
• Sagkeeng Anicinabe High School Community Office
• Crime Victim Services
• Ground Search and Rescue
• MASHB Emergency Preparedness Committee: This committee contains representatives from Manigotogan, Ahgaming, Seymourville, Hollow Water and Bissett (MASHB)