FSIN CALLS FOR FIRST NATIONS RCMP COMMISSIONER
- Feb 18, 2023
- 2 min read
Treaty 6 Territory, Saskatoon SK – The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is calling for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to appoint a First Nations person as the 25th RCMP Commissioner to combat bias and systemic racism within the national police force.
“We’d like to call upon the Prime Minister of Canada and those in power with the RCMP to appoint a First Nations commission to address the historic injustices of the RCMP and provide an unbiased approach to policing Indigenous people. It’s not enough to accept new Indigenous recruits as junior officers. We know change must come from the top down and our people need to be granted the opportunity to hold management positions,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron.
The RCMP will have 30 days to look for a replacement for retiring RCMP Commissioner, Brenda Lucki, who announced she would be stepping down from her position on March 17, 2023.
Chief Cameron says there are a number of accomplished, First Nations law enforcement agents in the nation who are prepared to create change within the justice system if given the opportunity.
RCMP self-reporting employee diversity statistics from 2020, show that only 5.6 per cent of RCMP employees identify as Indigenous. The current Senior RCMP Executive Committee does not profess to have any Indigenous representation including the Contract and Indigenous Policing Deputy Commissioner, overseeing policing on more than 600 Indigenous communities.
“First Nations people distrust the current policing model. It’s connected to a legacy of trauma from negative interaction with police that continues today, as we see the over-representation of Indigenous people brought before justice, victimized and incarcerated. This is an opportunity for Canada and the nation’s police service to fully embrace reconciliation and appoint a First Nations RCMP commissioner for the first time in history. Such an appointment could implement systemic changes throughout the ranks and introduce a service delivery model to address systemic racism,” said FSIN Second Vice Chief Dutch Lerat.
The FSIN will be sending a formal letter to the RCMP to encourage a First Nations’ perspective when appointing the RCMP Commissioner.
About FSIN
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations represents 73 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the Treaties, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.
Lisa Risom
Director of Communications
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations
10 - 134 Kahkewistahaw Crescent Treaty Six Territory
Saskatoon, SK S7R 0M9
Cell: 306-987-0505 | FSIN Office: 306-665-1215
Email: communications@fsin.com
