March 22, 2000
(Justice)

Province negotiating enhanced police services for coastal Labrador

Justice Minister Kelvin Parsons today announced that the province and the RCMP are proposing to implement an enhanced police presence in coastal Labrador in the communities of Makkovik, Postville and Rigolet.

"Labrador Inuit coastal communities have expressed concern with the level of policing they receive," said Minister Parsons. "Recently, I visited these coastal communities and heard first-hand their need for an increased police presence. I am pleased today to announce the province is proceeding to ensure police services will be provided to these communities which, previously, have had no permanent police presence."

In addition to this initiative, the department is also working with the RCMP to re-establish a community policing office in Cartwright. The Cartwright office would be staffed by three RCMP regular members.

Currently, Makkovik and Postville are policed from Hopedale. The Happy Valley-Goose Bay detachment serves Rigolet. Under the new proposal, an RCMP officer would be posted in each of Rigolet and Makkovik to work with two special constables. The community of Postville would be policed from Makkovik.

Minister Parsons said the department will be entering into negotiations with the federal government to conclude an agreement which will help defray the costs of the proposal. Negotiations toward a new cost-sharing agreement under the First Nations policing policy are anticipated to begin in the coming months.

Minister Parsons added that before negotiations toward a tripartite agreement commence, the province would consult with the Inuit communities and their leadership on the development and delivery of the initiative.

"This initiative will complement the province�s Northern Coastal Labrador Strategic Initiative, which will provide much needed infrastructure for the Inuit communities of Nain, Hopedale, Rigolet, Makkovik and Postville and is an important first step in working with the communities to address some of their concerns," said Minister Parsons. "Additional policing resources will assist these communities in the areas of prevention and enforcement."

Minister Parsons explained that under the federal government�s First Nations policing policy, the province and Canada may sign a framework agreement that establishes the parameters for the negotiation of tripartite community policing agreements. Cost-sharing under the tripartite agreement will be 48/52 provincial/federal.

A tripartite community policing agreement is an agreement entered into by Canada, the province and an Aboriginal community or group for the provision of an RCMP First Nations Community Policing Service.

"The objectives of the First Nations Community Policing Service include strengthening public security and personal safety, and increasing responsibility and accountability to the communities the RCMP serve by building new partnerships with communities based on trust, mutual respect and participation in decision-making," said Minister Parsons.

"The province is hopeful that a tripartite policing agreement will be concluded in the coming year," said Minister Parsons, noting that discussions are already under way for a similar agreement for policing in the Innu communities of Davis Inlet and Sheshatshui.

Media contact: Lynn Barter, Communications, (709) 729-0084.

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