NCJ Number
68771
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM DOCUMENTS THE INDIAN POLICE PROGRAM WHICH HAS RECRUITED 100 SPECIAL INDIAN CONSTABLES TO ENFORCE THE LAW ON THEIR OWN RESERVES IN COORDINATION WITH THE ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE (OPP)
Abstract
THE FILM IS DIRECTED TOWARD INDIAN COMMUNITIES, POLICE FORCES, GOVERNMENT SOCIAL AGENCIES, CIVIC GROUPS, SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. INDIAN CONSTABLES NOW POLICE THE 58,000 ONTARIO INDIANS SPREAD OUT AMONG 102 DIFFERENT BANDS (TRIBES), WHICH RANGE IN SIZE FROM UNDER 300 TO 9,000 PEOPLE. SINCE THE PROGRAM'S BEGINNING IN 1975, BOTH THE INDIAN COMMUNITY AND OPP OFFICIALS HAVE NOTICED A GREAT REDUCTION IN INDIAN CRIMES SUCH AS ARSON, MURDER, AND ESPECIALLY ALCOHOL-RELATED OFFENSES. THE SPECIAL CONSTABLES RECEIVE THE SAME TRAINING AS ANY OTHER OPP OFFICER; I.E., LEARNING THE CRIMINAL CODE, THE LEGAL LICENSE ACT, AND HOW TO USE WEAPONS AND OTHER POLICE EQUIPMENT. THE OPP SERVES AS A SUPPORT SERVICE BY RESPONDING TO MAJOR CRIMES; PROVIDING PATROL WAGONS, BOATS, AND SNOWMOBILES; AND PATROLLING NORTHERN, ISOLATED BANDS OF APPROXIMATELY 4,000 PEOPLE WITH TWO AIRPLANES CONSTANTLY IN FLIGHT OVER THE EXTENSIVE ACREAGE OF THE PROVINCE. THE PROGRAM STRESSES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT RESULTING IN INDIAN ACCEPTANCE OF AND RESPECT FOR WHITE MAN'S LAW, AN UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN INDIANS AND THE OPP, PREVENTIVE POLICING, EXPANDED OPP PRESENCE IN NORTHERN AREAS, AND IMPROVED LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LAW EDUCATION FOR INDIANS. A BROCHURE IS INCLUDED.