Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to update the House on the Department of Justice’s work to improve policing services across the territory.
As we all know, encouraging, nurturing and building partnerships is the foundation on which the Northwest Territories was built. Throughout the life of the 16th Legislative Assembly, the Department of Justice has been working on a new model for policing in the North. This model, the Partnership Approach, acknowledges our uniqueness, builds on our strengths, and fosters stronger relationships with our communities. Effective planning for police services must recognize the challenges and issues in each of our communities and capitalize on local strengths. Community policing must be developed in a way that builds trust, collaboration, and local capacity. This will naturally lead to more involvement in policing by community leaders, which will assist in crime prevention and reduction.
Yesterday the Department of Justice and the RCMP presented the details of this new partnership approach to the Standing Committee on Social Programs. The presentation outlined the collaborative work that is underway between the RCMP and the communities. This work is resulting in communities setting priorities with the RCMP to support community safety. This is how we are taking action to ensure police services are responsive to the needs of each individual community.
As an example of the success of the partnership approach, I had the honour of attending the graduation of Steven Beck of Hay River, who completed the Aboriginal Community Constable Program at the RCMP Depot in Regina last month.
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Mr. Speaker, Special Constable Beck has joined the RCMP detachment in his home community. His performance at Depot was superior. Constable Beck excelled academically in applied police sciences and teamwork, and he has attained the coveted title of expert marksman. His role with the Hay River RCMP is based on the partnership approach. He has been assigned to engage with community members and leaders, and acts as the RCMP liaison for young people. Constable Beck’s passion for community policing has turned his dream of becoming a Mountie into a reality. I am proud of his accomplishments and look forward to his valuable contributions to community policing in the Northwest Territories.
As the 16th Legislative Assembly comes to an end, I am confident that our new Partnership Approach to policing will continue to further our goals of supporting communities to be sustainable, vibrant and safe. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.
