b'F E A T U R EIndigenous Policing in Ontario TodayIndigenous Police Leaders SpeakBy Jose Luis (Joe) CoutoPolice Chiefs of Ontario (IPCO), these funding issues have largely yet to be resolved:Howdoyouaddressan issue that is a very real priority now when you have to wait four years to getfundingtomeettheneedsof whatyourcommunitiesareasking [for]? That inability to really negoti-ate your agreements or your funding arrangementplacesahardshipon police leaders, and in turn, the police leaders face criticism from commun-ities, and theres really not much you can do about it until you negotiate Chief Roland MorrisonDeputy Chief Jeff Skyeyour funding agreement.Nishnawbe Aski Police Service Treaty Three Police ServiceI ntheSummer2005issueFastforwardto2022.WhatsThatsasentimentthatDeputy Chief Skye agreeswith, the Police boardsandPoliceChiefsforthe mostpartnegotiatestandalone ofH.Q.Magazine,thefrontchanged?Accordingtotwolead- agreements (Tri Partite) with Canada coverfeaturedtheheadlineingIndigenouspoliceleadersinandtheprovince.TheFirstNation First Nations Policing: GettingOntario,whilesomeprogresshasChiefsarethedecisionmakersin Beyond The Program. In thebeenmade,manyissuesremainthe end who then sign the Tri Partite lead article, Wes Luloff, then-Chief oflargely unaddressed. agreements on behalf of their com-Police of Nishnawbe Aski Police Ser- Unfortunately,thesystemstillmunities.ThePoliceChiefmakes vice, identified challenges Indigenoushasnt changed today, says Deputythe day to day operational decision police services faced with the daunt- Chief Jeff Skye of Treaty Three PolicewithBoardoversight.Inadequate ingtasksofprovidingcommunityService and Director on the Ontariofunding has always been an concern safety and law enforcement servicesAssociationofChiefsofPolicesforFirstNationPolicing.However, toIndigenouscommunities.These(OACP)Board.Hebelievesthatthat system is not working because challenges included: Indigenouscommunitiesarestillthe funders and governments dont Conditions of the communitiesnot receiving adequate resources torecognizethatindigenouspolicebeing served (inadequate police Indigenous communities at theservicesdeservebetter.Ithinkits housing and social services,samelevelsasothercommunities.aculturewithingovernmentsthat poverty, etc.); Itshouldneverbedifferent.Itare unwilling to change and give the Poor working conditions forshould be the same type of policingadequate resources.when it comes to community safety police officers; and having the proper resources andDeputyChiefSkyebelievesthat Officer safety issues; andequitable funding for it. while police leaders can advocate for change,untilgovernmentschange Funding issues related toAccording to Chief Roland Morrisonthat culture, its going to be increas- agreements with the federalof Nishnawbe Aski Police Service andinglydifficulttopoliceIndigenous and provincial government. Past-PresidentoftheIndigenouscommunities with police officers that 8 H.Q. Summer 2022'