| Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit
Some of the estimated 85,000 Aboriginal residents of Toronto, and a portion
of those who come here from other First Nations communities, sometimes experience
difficulty dealing with life in a large urban setting. Over time, it became
clear that the police did not understand the historical and cultural barriers
that prevented Aboriginal people from interacting more positively with police.
The result was that Aboriginal community members did not benefit from the full
range of police services routinely available to the community at large.
In 1989, an Aboriginal officer with extensive professional and volunteer involvement
with his community was assigned to support the Aboriginal community on a full-time
basis. The role evolved and expanded to become the Chief's Native Liaison.
In September 1992, the Toronto Police Services Board approved the establishment
of the Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit (APU). The Toronto Police Service became
the first major urban police service in Canada to establish a unit to deal
specifically with the issues faced by the Aboriginal community.
The Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit works proactively to improve access for community
members to policing services. Over the years, members of the unit have established
a rapport with the community and have dispelled much of the negativism which
had existed previously. Through formal and casual contact with community members,
Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit officers have worked diligently to gain the trust
of the community. The result of this outreach is a two-way educational process
by which the community learns about policing services and officers become better
informed on Aboriginal customs, traditions, values, historic events, and modes
of behaviour.
The Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit is a valuable resource to both field and
specialized units, and is called upon regularly to assist and improve their
service delivery. The unit makes presentations to Service members at the Toronto
Police C.O. Bick College and to external organizations, to promote awareness
and sensitivity when dealing with members of the Aboriginal community.
The Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit also participate extensively in the Service's
recruiting strategy, making professional as well as personal presentations
on the benefits of a career in policing to many First Nations communities in
Toronto and across Ontario.
The Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit combines aspects of traditional peacekeeping
with community policing. The unit ensures that lines of open communications
are established and maintained. Unit members attend various community meetings,
seminars and workshops to provide consultation and education on police procedures,
the role of the police, individual rights and other legal issues.
A constructive dialogue and information-sharing process exists with other
police services serving the Aboriginal communities in Ontario and across Canada.
The Service also maintains an Aboriginal Community Consultative Committee.
Members of the community who sit on the committee work with a Staff Superintendent
and a member of the Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit to discuss issues of mutual
concern in an atmosphere of trust and understanding.
Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit
The Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit can be contacted at any of the following:
Phone: 416-808-7046
Fax: 416-808-7269
E-mail: aboriginal.peacekeeping@torontopolice.on.ca
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