Treaty 3 Police
Encyclopedia
The Treaty Three Police Service (T3PS) in Ontario
began as the Treaty #3 Policing Initiative in August 1999 as directed by the Executive Council of Grand Council of Treaty 3
. It officially began operation on August 5, 2003, and became Canada’s newest First Nation self-administered police service. Members of Treaty Three Police are appointed by the Commissioner of the OPP under the Police Services Act but are not governed by the Police Services Act. They are not Police Officers under the Police Services Act, but under federal law they are deemed peace officers and have fulls rights and duties of a Police Officer. Treaty Three Police Services Jurisdiction are all signatory Treaty Three First Nations (The Paypom Treaty) previously policed by the OPP administered First Nations Policing Program. The OPP are mandated to provide policing on a reserve, village or any other area not currently under a policing agreement. All operations save major crimes are investigated by Treaty Three First Nations Constables and/or the T3PS Crime Unit. Because these officers are not considered Police Constables under the Police Services Act, their status is law is slightly different but no less equal than that of a police officer under the Police Services Act, hence the appointment is as a "First Nations Constable". The service exists with the unanimous agreement of the signatory Band Councils or Band Chiefs. Unlike cities and towns they are not normally required to provide all the regular services of a Police Department, however Treaty Three Police does provide virtually everything needed (or requests additional OPP resources, eg K9 Unit) and functions as a service midway between a small municipal force and a wide ranging regional service.
Nationally, standards for First Nations Constable recruitment and attendance at formal police colleges, varies from province to province, however since inception all Treaty Three Officers meet all applicable Ontario Provincial Standards and attend the same courses Ontario police services do.
in Aylmer, Ontario
in spring of 2003.
T3PS's motto is "policing for the people by the people".
until his retirement in the summer of 2006. Deputy Chief Larry Indian has since taken over, commanding the Couchiching Sub Division from OPP Emo Detachment, Emo, Ontario
until the move back to Couchiching in spring of 2011. Deputy Chief Wally MacLeod oversaw the Kenora Sub Division until his retirement in 2006. Deputy Chief Louie Napish served as second in command of T3PS until he retired. Long time OPP liaison Terry Armstong assumed that position after many years seconded from the OPP. Assisting them are two Staff Sergeants, Jim Harty, Kenora detachment commander, and Richard Darling, head of administration. Treaty Three has its own Crime Unit also based in Kenora led by OPP Detective Sergeant Rob Bears for several years until Doug McKenzie was eventually seconded in 2011. Terry Armstrong was interim Crime Manager until his promotion to Deputy Chief. Like other police services, the Detective branch runs parallel to the front line officers.
Each Sub-division (sometimes referred to as "detachment", a holdover term from the OPP program) employs a number of Sergeants who answer to the sub-division commander in the day to day operations. Front line policing is performed by officers with the rank of Constable. After graduating from Ontario Police College
and a probationary period, each recruit is granted the rank of Fourth Class constable, promoted based on experience and performance, and reaching the rank of First Class constable within three years.
Treaty Three Officers are sworn peace officers in the Province of Ontario and the service currently has 85 sworn members, with more being hired as resources permit. Some of those officers have come from the OPP and its First Nations Program (the precursor to T3PS), Lac Seul Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP), and Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
. The vast majority of the members grew up in the area, with some coming as far as Winnipeg
and Southern Ontario.
SS, Chevrolet Tahoe
, and recently the Chevrolet Sierra after the OPP Ford Crown Victoria
, Ford Expedition
and Ford Excursion
were phased out. Also in service are boats and Polaris UTVs, allowing for a variety of deployment methods.
Continuing upgrades to the OPP radio equipment were also adopted by Treaty Three Police. Treaty Three as of 2008 became part of the Wide Area Network. An officer from Kenora can quickly communicate with virtually anyone in the province via the Provincial Communications Center in Thunder Bay and/or the other four Provincial Communications Centers in London, Orillia, Smith Falls and North Bay.
s, Chevrolet Tahoe
s and Toyota RAV4
s painted all black with gold decals.
Introduced in 2003 in time for the graduation of the first 14 officers hired and subsequent ceremony in Kenora was the dress uniform. All black with gold along the tunic closure and along the pants seam, the uniform differs from other traditional dress uniforms by dropping the tie for a military style mandarin collar, vaguely reminiscent of the uniforms worn by First Nations Chiefs in the time of the Treaty 3 Signing.
Kenora Sub-division
Couchiching Sub-division (Fort Frances area)
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
began as the Treaty #3 Policing Initiative in August 1999 as directed by the Executive Council of Grand Council of Treaty 3
Grand Council of Treaty 3
Grand Council of Treaty 3 is a political organization representing 24 First Nation communities across Treaty 3 areas of northern Ontario and southeastern Manitoba, Canada, and additional 4 First Nations in specific regards to their Treaty rights....
. It officially began operation on August 5, 2003, and became Canada’s newest First Nation self-administered police service. Members of Treaty Three Police are appointed by the Commissioner of the OPP under the Police Services Act but are not governed by the Police Services Act. They are not Police Officers under the Police Services Act, but under federal law they are deemed peace officers and have fulls rights and duties of a Police Officer. Treaty Three Police Services Jurisdiction are all signatory Treaty Three First Nations (The Paypom Treaty) previously policed by the OPP administered First Nations Policing Program. The OPP are mandated to provide policing on a reserve, village or any other area not currently under a policing agreement. All operations save major crimes are investigated by Treaty Three First Nations Constables and/or the T3PS Crime Unit. Because these officers are not considered Police Constables under the Police Services Act, their status is law is slightly different but no less equal than that of a police officer under the Police Services Act, hence the appointment is as a "First Nations Constable". The service exists with the unanimous agreement of the signatory Band Councils or Band Chiefs. Unlike cities and towns they are not normally required to provide all the regular services of a Police Department, however Treaty Three Police does provide virtually everything needed (or requests additional OPP resources, eg K9 Unit) and functions as a service midway between a small municipal force and a wide ranging regional service.
Nationally, standards for First Nations Constable recruitment and attendance at formal police colleges, varies from province to province, however since inception all Treaty Three Officers meet all applicable Ontario Provincial Standards and attend the same courses Ontario police services do.
Inception
Formally incorporated on April 1, 2003, the Treaty Three Police Service assumed all on-reserve policing duties in the area of Treaty 3 from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Currently serving officers were recertified and signed on and the initial group of 12 newly hired recruits attended the Ontario Police CollegeOntario Police College
The Ontario Police College is located in Malahide Township, just east of Aylmer, in Elgin County in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.-Programs:...
in Aylmer, Ontario
Aylmer, Ontario
Aylmer is a town in Elgin County in southern Ontario, Canada, just north of Lake Erie, on Catfish Creek. It is 20 km south of Highway 401...
in spring of 2003.
Mission statement and motto
The T3PS's Police Services Board established its Mission Statement, which explicitly set out in the Articles of Incorporation as:- to provide an effective, efficient and culturally sensitive police service to the member First Nations through the further development and expansion of the Treaty Three Police Service;
- to set out the roles, responsibilities and relationships among the member First Nations for the provision and maintenance of policing arrangements;
- to provide police services as may be necessary or appropriate to promote harmonious, healthy communities by keeping the peace and protecting persons and property through crime prevention, community education and law enforcement.
T3PS's motto is "policing for the people by the people".
Staff
The City of Kenora hosts the T3PS's Headquarters on Round Lake, where Chief of Police Conrad DeLaronde oversees daily operations. Brian Rupert was the inaugural Chief until his retirement in October 2008. Until his recent retirement, Deputy Chief Ernest Jones is his counterpart in Couchiching First NationCouchiching First Nation
The Couchiching First Nation is a Saulteaux First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario, who live on the Couchiching 16A and Agency 1 reserves in the Rainy River District near Fort Frances....
until his retirement in the summer of 2006. Deputy Chief Larry Indian has since taken over, commanding the Couchiching Sub Division from OPP Emo Detachment, Emo, Ontario
Emo, Ontario
Population trend:* Population in 2006: 1305* Population in 2001: 1331* Population in 1996: 1366* Population in 1991: 1275-Emo Walleye Classic:The Emo Walleye Classic is a two-day catch and release fishing tournament held annually in Emo, during the final week of May each year...
until the move back to Couchiching in spring of 2011. Deputy Chief Wally MacLeod oversaw the Kenora Sub Division until his retirement in 2006. Deputy Chief Louie Napish served as second in command of T3PS until he retired. Long time OPP liaison Terry Armstong assumed that position after many years seconded from the OPP. Assisting them are two Staff Sergeants, Jim Harty, Kenora detachment commander, and Richard Darling, head of administration. Treaty Three has its own Crime Unit also based in Kenora led by OPP Detective Sergeant Rob Bears for several years until Doug McKenzie was eventually seconded in 2011. Terry Armstrong was interim Crime Manager until his promotion to Deputy Chief. Like other police services, the Detective branch runs parallel to the front line officers.
Each Sub-division (sometimes referred to as "detachment", a holdover term from the OPP program) employs a number of Sergeants who answer to the sub-division commander in the day to day operations. Front line policing is performed by officers with the rank of Constable. After graduating from Ontario Police College
Ontario Police College
The Ontario Police College is located in Malahide Township, just east of Aylmer, in Elgin County in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.-Programs:...
and a probationary period, each recruit is granted the rank of Fourth Class constable, promoted based on experience and performance, and reaching the rank of First Class constable within three years.
Treaty Three Officers are sworn peace officers in the Province of Ontario and the service currently has 85 sworn members, with more being hired as resources permit. Some of those officers have come from the OPP and its First Nations Program (the precursor to T3PS), Lac Seul Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
(RCMP), and Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is the police force for Nishnawbe-Aski Nation . Created in 1994, the force has 175 sworn officers at 35 detachments in NAN communities. The Chief of Police is vacant with Robin Jones Acting Chief of Police...
. The vast majority of the members grew up in the area, with some coming as far as Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
and Southern Ontario.
Transportation
Currently T3PS uses the Chevrolet ImpalaChevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
SS, Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe are full-size SUVs from General Motors. Chevrolet and GMC sold two different-sized SUVs under their Blazer/Jimmy model names through the early 1990s. This situation changed when GMC rebadged the full-size Jimmy as the Yukon in 1992...
, and recently the Chevrolet Sierra after the OPP Ford Crown Victoria
Ford Crown Victoria
-1992–1994:Released in March 1991 as an early 1992 model, the Crown Victoria sedan was completely redesigned with a rounder, eight-window roofline . The redesign reduced the coefficient of drag from 0.42 to 0.34; the suspension setup was also heavily revised...
, Ford Expedition
Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV built by the Ford Motor Company. Introduced in 1997 as a replacement to the Ford Bronco, it was previously slotted between the smaller Ford Explorer and the larger Ford Excursion, but as of the 2005 model year, it is Ford's largest and last truck-based,...
and Ford Excursion
Ford Excursion
The Ford Excursion is a full-size sport utility vehicle that was produced by the Ford Motor Company between model years 2000 and 2005 . Based on the Super Duty pickup truck platform, it served as Ford's largest SUV in its lineup during the tenure of its production and mainly competed against the...
were phased out. Also in service are boats and Polaris UTVs, allowing for a variety of deployment methods.
Technology
T3PS also uses the same personal equipment, radio and computer systems and training system (such as the annual "block training" in CPR/First Aid, recent case law, investigative techniques and Use of Force" ) as the OPP, since the majority of the equipment and operations used by the First nations program is still used by the current service, allowing ease of use, and greater cooperation between neighbouring forces until T3PS can provide its own in-service training units and new police facilities.Continuing upgrades to the OPP radio equipment were also adopted by Treaty Three Police. Treaty Three as of 2008 became part of the Wide Area Network. An officer from Kenora can quickly communicate with virtually anyone in the province via the Provincial Communications Center in Thunder Bay and/or the other four Provincial Communications Centers in London, Orillia, Smith Falls and North Bay.
Equipment and Uniforms
The original OPP administered uniforms and shoulder flashes specific to individual reserves were retired and replaced with a navy blue uniform slightly lighter than the OPP uniforms. The T3PS symbol, created by a local resident, was adopted as the new shoulder flash. Black armour vests and ball caps with the T3PS symbol replaced the OPP stetson and blue armour. Observant people noticed the duty belt and equipment pouches were replaced with a basket weave design. The original white cruisers were replaced with brown Impalas and Tahoes. The original units have since been upgraded to a fleet of over 20 Chevrolet ImpalaChevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
s, Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe are full-size SUVs from General Motors. Chevrolet and GMC sold two different-sized SUVs under their Blazer/Jimmy model names through the early 1990s. This situation changed when GMC rebadged the full-size Jimmy as the Yukon in 1992...
s and Toyota RAV4
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV from Toyota. It was the first compact crossover SUV, introduced in Japan and Europe in 1994 and beginning sales in North America in 1996...
s painted all black with gold decals.
Introduced in 2003 in time for the graduation of the first 14 officers hired and subsequent ceremony in Kenora was the dress uniform. All black with gold along the tunic closure and along the pants seam, the uniform differs from other traditional dress uniforms by dropping the tie for a military style mandarin collar, vaguely reminiscent of the uniforms worn by First Nations Chiefs in the time of the Treaty 3 Signing.
Geography
Treaty Three Police services 18,550 First Nations residents in 28 First Nation Territories in the Kenora and Rainy River districts. Due to the vast patrol area, (55,000 square miles) T3PS was divided into two major "sub-divisions" with smaller satellite detachments left over from the OPP administered program. The Kenora Sub-division was headquartered in Dalles First Nation. Kenora Sub Division is now run out of the new Headquarters on Round Lake. Territories in the Rainy River district operated out of the Emo OPP detachment east of Manitou Rapids First Nations while Couchiching sub-division was relocated between fall of 2007 and spring 2011 from Couchiching First Nation near Fort Frances, Ontario while the new building was approved and constructed. Having been placed on "Agency One" land given to several local territories jointly, the detachment was renamed Treaty Three South Sub-DivisionDetachments
The Treaty Three Police Service General Headquarters and the Kenora Sub-Division are housed in the same building in Kenora. The Couchiching Sub–division was housed at the Emo OPP Detachment until the new South Sub-Division was opened in March of 2011 on Couchiching First Nations.Kenora Sub-division
- Kenora Patrol Zone
- Washagamis Bay First Nation
- Shoal Lake 40 First NationShoal Lake 40 First NationShoal Lake 40 First Nation is an Ojibwa or Ontario Saulteaux First Nation located in the Eastman Region of Manitoba and the Kenora District of Ontario. The total registered population in August 2011 was 568, of which the on-reserve population was 266...
- Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation
- Ochiichagwe'Babigo'Ining Ojibway NationOchiichagwe'Babigo'Ining Ojibway NationOchiichagwe'Babigo'Ining Ojibway Nation, formerly but still commonly—and incorrectly—known as the Dalles First Nation, is an Ojibwa or Ontario Saulteaux First Nation located in Kenora District, Ontario near Sioux Narrows of Lake of the Woods....
- Iskatweizaagegan 39 First Nation
- Northwest Angle 37 First Nation
- Grassy Narrows Patrol Zone
- Grassy Narrows First Nation
- Wabaseemoong Patrol Zone
- Wabaseemoong First Nation
- Kenora South Patrol Zone
- Naotkamegwanning First NationNaotkamegwanning First NationNaotkamegwanning First Nation, formerly known as Whitefish Bay First Nation and known in the Ojibwe language as Ne-adikamegwaning , is an Ojibwa or Ontario Saulteaux First Nation located in Kenora District, Ontario near Sioux Narrows of Lake of the Woods.Total registered population in September,...
- Onigaming First Nation
- Northwest Angle 33 First NationNorthwest Angle 33 First NationNorthwest Angle 33 First Nation is an Ojibwa or Ontario Saulteaux First Nation located in Kenora District, Ontario near Sioux Narrows of Lake of the Woods.Total registered population in September, 2007, was 438, of which the on-reserve population was 187...
- Naotkamegwanning First Nation
- Kenora East Patrol Zone
- Eagle Lake First Nation
- Wabigoon Lake First Nation
- Wabauskang First Nation
Couchiching Sub-division (Fort Frances area)
- Fort Frances Patrol Zone
- Nigigoonsiminikaaning First NationNigigoonsiminikaaning First NationNigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, formerly known as the Nicickousemenecaning First Nation and as the Red Gut First Nation, is a Saulteaux First Nation located on the banks of Rainy Lake of the Rainy River District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada...
- Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation
- Lac La Croix Patrol Zone
- Lac La Croix First NationLac La Croix First NationLac La Croix First Nation is a Saulteaux First Nation located in Rainy River District in northwestern Ontario, Canada, along the Ontario-Minnesota border. It is approximately 200 km northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario...
- Lac La Croix First Nation
- Big Island/Big Grassy Patrol Zone
- Big Grassy First Nation
- Big Island First Nation