Kashechewan pulls out of NAPS

Tb News Source
Web Posted: 6/27/2008 11:31:33 AM

The Kashechewan First Nation on James Bay is pulling the plug on its police service, as talks for more police funding from the federal and provincial governments have come up empty. The reserve is currently serviced by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, or NAPS. Chief Jonathon Solomon has given NAPS 90 days to find an alternate policing option for the community...either with the OPP or RCMP.

The move is being supported by Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents Kashechewan and 48 other remote First Nations. Solomon is citing ongoing concerns for the health and safety of the community and the NAPS officers themselves. The detachment was the site of a deadly fire last year, and currently has only two officers to serve a community of 1500. NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says the community has been very patient in its efforts to obtain increased police funding. He says a recent federal funding announcement was the last straw for Kashechewan.

NAN officials have been lobbying the province and Ottawa since February to increase funding to NAPS to improve the condition of the local police stations. Three detachments have been closed this year because of the lack of adequate washrooms and jail cells.