Introduction

Temagami First Nation currently provides policing services under a model established by the Ontario First Nations Policing Agreement (OFNPA) with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) providing administrative support. Policing is delivered by First Nation Constables on Bear Island under the Bear Island Police Service (BIPS), however the OPP administers the program by providing financial administration, training, asset management, and other services. Temagami First Nation is interested in exploring options for the structure and subsequent operations of policing. Preliminary discussions have provided that the Nation may be interested in exploring any one of the three potential options available, including:

  • A stand-alone and self-administered police service;
  • A regional or joint police service with one or more other First Nations; or
  • Contracting police services to an existing service provider such as the OPP, with additional officers dedicated to providing service to the Nation

There is a need to fully understand the service options within the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program and how each may differ in relation to governance, service delivery, cost, and cultural appropriateness. As a part of this project, Temagami First Nation have engaged MNP LLP, a consulting firm with a national Community Safety and Wellbeing Consulting Practice, to conduct a study of policing delivery models. This survey is a part of the consultation portion of the project. There is also an opportunity to volunteer for focus groups at the end of the survey.

The Policing Needs Assessment Survey is expected to take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please note, the survey will close on Wednesday, July 31.

All individual responses will be kept confidential and anonymous.

Thank you for your participation. We look forward to your feedback prior to the deadline.

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* 1. Are you a Temagami First Nation band member or entitled to be a band member? (Select one)

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* 2. Where do you live? (Select one)

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* 3. Which category below includes your age? (Select one)

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* 4. Have you directly interacted with members of the following police services in Temagami First Nation in the past two years? (Select all that apply)

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* 5. How have you previously interacted with police officers on Bear Island? (Select all that apply)

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* 6. In your opinion, what is the quality of the policing services provided by the Bear Island Police Service (BIPS)? (Select one)

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* 7. Please describe your answer to the previous question. What are the elements that lead you to believe this is the case?

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* 8. In your opinion, to what level do you agree that the police services provided by the Bear Island Police Service (BIPS) meet the needs of the community? (Select one)

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* 9. Please describe your answer to the previous question.

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* 10. Temagami First Nation has an opportunity to re-evaluate how policing services are delivered in the community. Several options are available to the Nation, including those outlined below:
  • Self-Administered Police Service: under this model, Temagami First Nation would independently manage and govern the Bear Island Police Service (BIPS) and receive only specialized support from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) when required.
  • Contracted Service Provider: Temagami First Nation would partner with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to deliver policing services using officers dedicated to serving Temagami First Nation, both on Bear Island and on the mainland. The Nation would have an opportunity to negotiate the terms of the agreement.
  • Regional Police Service: Temagami First Nation would establish or join a central First Nations police service that would operate across a group of First Nation Territories and share governance responsibilities between the member Nations.
  • Status Quo: Under this model, there would be no underlying changes to how policing services are being provided by the Bear Island Police Service (BIPS) to community members and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would continue delivering administrative services to the BIPS.
Please rank the above policing models in the order of your preference for Temagami First Nation from one (1) to four (4), with one (1) being your preferred model and four (4) being the least desirable model.

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* 11. Why do you think the policing model you preferred in the previous question will be the best model for the Nation? Please describe your answer.

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* 12. Do you have any final thoughts, opinions, or considerations that you would like to share with MNP?

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* 13. If you would like to volunteer for a focus group to provide further input regarding policing and community safety and wellbeing, please provide your name and email address below. Participants will be chosen at random if volunteers exceed focus group capacity.

We thank you in advance for your anticipated participation.

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