May 12, 1997
(Justice)

The following statement was issued today by Chris Decker, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I rise today to inform honourable members that this week is Police Week in Canada.

Provincial policing services are carried out in this province by both the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Today, I ask the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Members of the House of Assembly, to reflect on the outstanding services carried out by both police forces in this province.

The RCMP provides policing services in this province under an agreement with the Solicitor General of Canada, which provides for a 70/30 (provincial/federal) financial arrangement for Provincial Policing Services. In addition, the RCMP operates a federal component in the province, as in all other provinces, which is paid for 100 per cent by the federal government, and deals with federal policing matters such as customs and excise, smuggling, and so on.

The RNC, now 126 years old in this province, provides full policing services in St. John's, the north east Avalon, Corner Brook and Labrador West. The RCMP is responsible for all other areas of the province.

Every day members of the police forces are faced with the need to make critical decisions which affect the safety of all of us. Police Week provides an opportunity for the officers to take additional time out to meet the people in their communities, and for us to see the faces of those who keep us safe every day. The theme this year, "Police and the Community", certainly gives us reason to celebrate among ourselves.

I want to personally commend the approximately 800 members of both the RNC and the RCMP for providing exemplary policing services to the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador. Your work to protect and serve the people of this province does not go unnoticed.