Aboriginal Policing Program

The explosion in Canada’s Aboriginal youth population mirrors that of the third world, creating, among other things, an urgent need for Aboriginal job creation. It is anticipated that 160,000 new jobs will be required by 2006 to maintain current Aboriginal labor force participation – a 50% increase of currently employed Aboriginal people.

Aboriginal people account for 15% of the federally incarcerated population, yet represent 2% of the Canadian population. Recognizing the important link between economic disparity and the potential for criminality, improving this group’s living standards is a key crime prevention measure. Governments, communities, police, Aboriginal organizations and private industry all have a role to play in improving opportunities for this growing population.

Plans and Priorities :

The RCMP has had a long and productive history of service to Aboriginal communities across this country, and has worked successfully to build good relationships with over 190 Aboriginal communities serviced in RCMP jurisdictions. In line with the Government of Canada’s priority to build stronger Aboriginal communities, the RCMP is committed to bring a greater focus to this area of policing by dealing with the various challenges Aboriginals face both on and off reserves.

For 2003/2004, the RCMP Aboriginal Communities Strategy will focus on “Safer and Healthier Aboriginal Communities”. Operations will continue to develop and implement culturally sensitive strategies, plans and programs to address the particular needs of Aboriginal Peoples in both urban and rural areas, and in the North. An integral part of this approach will be to continue to use restorative justice techniques and methods where appropriate. The restorative justice approach allows us to work with communities to help them heal and to confront their problems using traditional Aboriginal justice practices, rather than relying on more formal criminal sanctions or incarceration.

The RCMP will:

• promote use of restorative processes – ensure that alternatives for Aboriginal people are considered key policing options/services. Work with other stakeholders to continue to build momentum around this philosophy (CCAPS)
• provide a culturally sensitive police service (CCAPS)
• invest in/optimize research for policy development (CCAPS)
• ensure data quality/integrity – examine existing mechanisms (internal and external) for capturing data and suggested improvements to enhance intelligence capacity and thus service delivery
• improve service delivery within Aboriginal Policing service line (CCAPS)
• demonstrate value for service – satisfy our partners and stakeholders by demonstrating value through sound stewardship and rigorous accountability
• promote/profile Aboriginal Policing services through systematic communications and marketing to existing and potential clients to raise awareness of the Aboriginal Policing value proposition (CCAPS)
• build new and strengthen existing partnerships
• offer courses and other learning opportunities to aboriginal police executives and police officers at the Canadian Police College (NPS)
• communicate effectively to internal/external audiences