THUNDER BAY -- The Thunder Bay Police Service is partnering with the Ontario Provincial Police to provide local officers with a better understanding of policing in remote First Nations communities and create stronger relationships with individuals who may come to the city.
Starting later this spring, officers with the Thunder Bay Police Service will be travelling to Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, also known as Big Trout Lake First Nation.
“Our officers will have the opportunity to go up to Big Trout Lake to police with the community and do extra-curricular activities on their off-duty hours,” said deputy chief Ryan Hughes with the Thunder Bay Police Service.
Hughes added that he and police chief Darcy Fleury already travelled to the community several weeks ago and met with the chief and council.
“They were excited about being one of the first First Nation communities to have police officers working in their community with OPP officers,” Hughes said.
“It is a cultural experience for our officers and reconciliation for ourselves and Indigenous communities.”
Thunder Bay officers will work with OPP officers already stationed in the community for approximately one week. The program is entirely volunteer based -- Hughes said 18 to 20 officers have already volunteered to go.
According to Hughes, the program will not impact police staffing levels in the city of Thunder Bay.
He added that the program will be immensely beneficial not only for the community, but for the officers as well.
“We have a high Indigenous population that lives in Thunder Bay. It would be great if some of the people in Big Trout Lake recognize the officers that police up there. It will give the officers an understanding of how they live in a remote First Nation community and some of the issues they may encounter in a bigger city like Thunder Bay,” Hughes said.
“This is a big step. If Indigenous community members from northern communities are in Thunder Bay and are not afraid or nervous to approach a Thunder Bay Police Service officer that is one big step forward toward reconciliation.”
The first trips to the community are expected to begin this year in March or early April. Hughes said the program will continue and expand as the interest among officers grows.
