Canada’s First Aboriginal Community Safety Officer Training Program

April 6, 2016 – Summerside, PE – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

The Canadian Centre of Public Safety Excellence and Holland College is working with the Cree First Nation and Kiamauga Corporation to develop a new Aboriginal Community Safety Officer training program to be delivered at the Atlantic Police Academy. The program, to be offered at the Academy in Slemon Park, will be the first of its kind in Canada, offering a post-secondary educational option for young people considering a career in policing in Indigenous communities.

Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced that the Government of Canada is investing $206,205 in the new program through ACOA’s Business Development Program.

The Aboriginal Community Safety Officer training program is being developed in close consultation with an advisory council consisting of members and elders from Nelson House First Nation in northern Manitoba to ensure that the curriculum is responsive to cultural sensitivities and the realities of law enforcement in Indigenous communities. The program will incorporate several subject areas including cultural issues, control tactics, use of force, law, sociology, psychology, communications, security issues, community leadership, and occupational health.

Quotes

“I commend the approach that Holland College is taking on developing this program – a collaborative process together with First Nations that is based on respect and trust. The new program will offer a positive new approach for policing in Indigenous communities, with officers sensitive to their needs.”

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

“I am pleased to announce the Government of Canada’s support for Holland College to develop the Aboriginal Community Safety Officer training program, the first of its kind in Canada. I am proud to see this kind of ground-breaking approach being led right here in Prince Edward Island.”

– Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont

“The community safety challenges facing Canada’s First Nations are daunting. We are optimistic our inclusive approach in the design and development of this ‘first of its kind program’ will lead to sustainable, safer, and healthier communities for the Cree First Nation.”

– Mr. Edgar MacLeod, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Public Safety Excellence

Associated Links

• Atlantic Police Academy

Contacts

Christopher Brooks
Acting Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-566-7569

Sara Underwood
Media and Communications Officer
Holland College
902-566-9695

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