Sweeping changes for Native policing

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Canada's top Mountie has announced sweeping changes to policing services for the country's Native people which could put special constables on an even footing with regular RCMP officers.

RCMP commissioner Norman Inkster outlined the reforms to Native policing procedures on Wednesday in Edmonton during a keynote address to a conference on aboriginal policing services.

But the reforms - one of which will provide Natives with the training and education needed to become Mounties - are being viewed cautiously by Alberta Native leaders.

Inkster told more than 1,000 Native delegates and RCMP officers he wants to settle the stormy relationship between his department and Native elders across the country that's been raging for the last 100 years.

"There is a sense of urgency in what we must do," he said.

"From all of this we will become more aware and responsive to the needs of the people for whom we provide a police service. We will become a better police force."

Among the new initiatives will be an enhanced training course taught by Native elders to already enlisted RCMP officers to help them become better educated in Native traditions an culture. Inkster said the RCMP is "researching ways and means" to instruct community-based officers in Native languages.

A police consultative committee will be set up by each Native community to meet monthly with the RCMP detachment commander to review policing activity and cultural training.

A national aboriginal advisory committee is also being established to help direct policing procedures across the country. The committee of selected Native leaders will meet twice a year with senior RCMP officers to offer advice on staffing and service delivery.

The RCMP will also be helping colleges develop programs for Native students eyeing the RCMP as a career.

The most welcomed reform was the change to the special constable program.

Current and future Native applicants will be able to upgrade their education to Grade 12 at the expense of the force in preparation for attendance at the RCMP Academy in Regina, Sask.

Graduates will wear the decorative red serge uniform that is the trademark of the traditional RCMP constable.

Larry Desmeules, Metis Association of Alberta president, said he was surprised by the announcement to give Natives a greater role in policing and thinks it will have a positive effect on young Natives already interested in becoming part of the force. But he doesn't expect an increase in the number of RCMP applicants because of the change to the special constable program.

"It's something for our young people to look forward to when they're in school, but I don't see any great surge," he said.

Indian Association of Alberta elders' council member Raven Makkannaw said turning Native special constables into full-fledged RCMP officers would boost the confidence of Native people and strengthen their relationship with the police. But he doesn't expect any sudden changes either.

"It will put us on even footing," he acknowledged. "But there's going to be some time for adjustments."

There are 17,000 RCMP constables nationally, 400 of them are special constables. There are 39 special constables in Alberta.

The role of the special constable has come under fire in recent years because of their limited jurisdiction and legal authority in the Native community. Native leaders have been struggling to have the position of the special constable upgraded to promote greater self-esteem and Native sovereignty.