First Nations Chiefs of Police Association

Secretary of State Jean Augustine Announces a Joint Initiative with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police

HALIFAX, August 26, 2003 -- Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Jean Augustine today announced the creation of a national Law Enforcement Aboriginal and Diversity Network (LEAD). This is a joint initiative with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), and was facilitated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The announcement was made at the national conference of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

"I am very pleased that the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has agreed to work with the Multiculturalism Program at Canadian Heritage to create this network," said Secretary of State Augustine. "We consulted with many communities across Canada and we know that there is an urgent need for a coordinated approach by all policing agencies to better serve our Aboriginal and diverse ethnic, racial, and religious communities."

"I applaud the CACP and the Multiculturalism Program at Canadian Heritage for forging this partnership," said Solicitor General Wayne Easter. "The LEAD network will bring together the efforts of police across the country to ensure the safety and security of our multicultural and Aboriginal communities. This can only enhance the law enforcement community's understanding of and sensitivity to the unique challenges faced by those groups."

The LEAD network will consist of police officers at the national, provincial/territorial, regional, municipal, and Aboriginal community levels across Canada. The goal is to create a network with the infrastructure to connect the officers so they can share best practices, establish links in the community, devise a Canadian training program, set up a Web site and an electronic newsletter, and conduct research.

"A forum such as the LEAD network is an excellent venue to exchange ideas and to continue improving the relationship between police officers and those communities whose backgrounds contribute to a more diversified Canada," said Commissioner Gwen Boniface, Ontario Provincial Police, and President of the CACP.

"Many police services in Canada have included officer sensitivity and awareness training in conjunction with their communities. Education and knowledge - through training and continued exchanges such as the LEAD network Ñ are essential in breaking down barriers," she added.

"Having the LEAD network means our members can learn about approaches that work," said Assistant Commissioner Gerry Braun of the RCMP. "Safe and healthy communities don't just happen. They are the product of partnerships."

The concept for the LEAD network grew out of discussions at last February's National Forum on Policing in a Multicultural Society (hosted by Secretary of State Augustine and sponsored by the Multiculturalism Program in cooperation with the RCMP), and the Respect in Service conference held in Winnipeg last June (sponsored by the RCMP in cooperation with the Multiculturalism Program and the Winnipeg Police Service). Police forces in Calgary and Winnipeg have been instrumental in planning the network.

"The Calgary Police Service has been a leader in serving ethnic and Aboriginal communities, with a dedicated Cultural Resources Unit made up of seven officers, including a coordinator for diversity education," said Chief Jack Beaton of the Calgary Police Service. "With the LEAD network, police agencies across the country will be able to progress at a much greater pace toward an inclusive, proactive approach to serving our diverse communities."

"Although each city has its own individual situations and challenges, there are many issues we have in common. The LEAD network will allow us to enhance one another's work by discussing these issues and building solutions together," said Chief Jack Ewatski of the Winnipeg Police Service.

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.

Information:

Michelle Williams
Office of the Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(819) 997-9900

National Office
Canadian Association of
Chiefs of Police
(613) 233-1106

BACKGROUNDER

Law Enforcement Aboriginal and Diversity Network (LEAD)

The LEAD initiative will create a network of national, provincial/territorial, regional, municipal, and Aboriginal community-level police officers from across Canada. The network will address the gaps that exist between the values and lifestyles of Aboriginal and diverse ethnic, racial, and religious communities, and the capacity of police officers to serve them with an understanding and respect that contributes in a meaningful way to the safety and security of these communities.
Members will be law enforcement officers of all ranks who work with Aboriginal and diverse ethnic, racial and religious communities, or who have an interest in creating a more inclusive proactive policing agenda in Canada.
The LEAD network will be a forum in which law enforcement officers can ask questions, and share information and best practices about policing in our Aboriginal and diverse communities.
Activities will include developing a Web site, an electronic newsletter, and a virtual platform for the network. The Web site, which will be accessible to both police and community members, will include best practices and a forum structure. Plans for the future also include listing information about hate/bias crimes, national crime statistics, community/police partnerships, and current policing issues.
The network will also conduct background research on national standards, international best practices, and universal definitions of hate/bias crimes for police officers and justice personnel working with Aboriginal and diverse ethnic, racial and religious communities.
The LEAD network is a partnership between the Multiculturalism Program of Canadian Heritage and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, and is facilitated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
LEAD is considered a benchmark in the progress toward integrated policing in Canada.