Ontario Regional Chief Benedict congratulates Nishnawbe Aski Police Service on agreement with province

(Toronto, Ont.–Dec. 13, 2024) Ontario Reginal Chief Abram Benedict has issued the following statement on the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service agreement with Ontario:

“Earlier this week, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) announced that they have come to an agreement with the province to bring the service into the provincial policing framework. I congratulate NAPS—the country’s largest First Nations police service—on this historic announcement and hope that it gives the service the tools it needs to ensure safety in the First Nations it is responsible for in a good way.

First Nations police forces in Ontario have never had adequate resources and, as a result, many Nations face ongoing issues with crime and challenges that threaten safety, economic development and community wellbeing. The agreement between NAPS and the province includes $514 million in funding that will help the officers protect the 34 First Nations communities—including 25 remote First Nations—and citizens they police.

I am glad that NAPS was able to come to agreement with the province that provides additional funding for additional officers and, as Ontario Regional Chief, I hope that the province will work towards equivalent funding and compliment increases for all First Nations police services and First Nations in Ontario. Our communities deserve at least the same levels of protection as everyone else in this province—nothing less.”

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The Chiefs of Ontario support all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, X or Instagram @ChiefsOfOntario.

Media Contact:

Isak Vaillancourt
Communications Manager
Chiefs of Ontario
Mobile: 416-819-8184
Email: isak.vaillancourt@coo.org

Declan Keogh
Communications Officer
Chiefs of Ontario
Mobile: 416-522-4518
Email: declan.keogh@coo.org

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