Community Safety (Policing)

Background

In June 1991, the First Nations Policing Policy (FNPP) was introduced by the Department of the Solicitor General of Canada.  Under this policy, the federal and provincial governments work with First Nations to negotiate tripartite agreements for police services that meet the specific needs of each community.  The Federation’s involvement with the FNPP began in 1992 and continues on this day.
In 1996, an independent review found the policy framework “relevant, sound, and on-track” and many First Nations believed that the tripartite process was an effective transition step to First Nations self-administered policing.  Minor revisions made to the FNPP independent review reflected the federal government’s commitment to support First Nations’ goal to become self-governing.   
The objectives of the policy are: to strengthen public security and personal safety; to increase responsibility and accountability; and build new partnerships with First Nations based on trust, mutual respect and participation in decision-making.  Police services must be responsive, accessible, effective, regulated and accountable through bodies that are representative of the communities they serve.
At this time, the federal and provincial governments share jurisdiction and funding support in providing policing services to First Nations.  Funding arrangements through Community Tripartite Agreements (CTAs) are cost-shared: 52% by the federal government and 48% by the provincial government.  These services include funding for program administration such as police governance mechanisms; recruitment, training and education; salaries and benefits; and operations, maintenance, and minor capital expenditures.  Funding may also be provided for policing needs analyses, research and development, evaluations and public education.  Currently there are 34 CTAs in Saskatchewan that cover 47 First Nations’ communities.

Framework Agreement for First Nations Community Policing Service

One component of the community safety agenda is the First Nation Community Policing Service Framework Agreement. FSIN is signatory to this Framework Agreement that sets the parameters for the thirty-four community tripartite agreements (CTA’s), many of which require further discussion on more effective policing in First Nation territories.  In February 2007, The Vice Chief responsible for the Justice Portfolio has been directed by the Chiefs-in-Assembly to re-negotiate the Framework Agreement by March 31, 2010 with the intent of developing the structures and processes that govern community policing.  

In September 2008, FSIN submitted a proposal to Public Safety Canada and Saskatchewan to fund the developmental work of the framework by obtaining input from the leaders who are signatory to the CTA’s and the communities who receive policing services through these agreements.  The proposal was approved by the governments in November 2008 to fund the research and analysis phase this fiscal year. 
An Intergovernmental Table consisting of Canada, Saskatchewan and the FSIN was established in October 2008 to discuss re-negotiation of the Policing Framework Agreement. The Table discussions were slow moving and the government representatives continued to change from year to year which delayed the negotiation progress.  As a consequence, the FSIN served notice to Canada and Saskatchewan in March 2009 informing them that the Policing Framework Agreement would not be renewed for fiscal year 2010-2011. 
However, negotiation discussions are ongoing at the Intergovernmental Table.  The next scheduled meeting for the Intergovernmental Table is December 10, 2009 at which time the governance policy items will be discussed