Police Service looking for Aboriginal recruits

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The Saskatoon Police Service is trying to encourage more First Nation and Metis people to consider careers in policing, and has turned to someone who knows the local Aboriginal community well to help in those efforts.

Const. Craig Nyirfa has served as the police service's Aboriginal liaison officer for more than 10 years, during which time he has earned the respect of the Aboriginal community with his many positive initiatives. In January, he was seconded to the police service's recruitment section to lend a hand.

"I've been asked to assist in the recruitment of First Nations and Metis officers," he said. "With the population of Aboriginal residents in Saskatoon growing, the need to have a good representation of Native officers on the streets has never been greater."

All members of the Saskatoon Police Service take a course on Aboriginal history and culture which is fostering a better understanding of the First Nations and Metis residents of the community, Nyirfa said. "We are trying to teach our members the value of diversity. We need people to represent that diversity by having recruits from different cultures and languages, with different skill sets and perspectives."

Aboriginal officers often know the language, know the value system, and can communicate with Aboriginal people who come into the justice system, he said. "Our department simply becomes better by having a representation of the people who live in our community."

Youth considering an occupation in policing have a bright future ahead of them. With many of the 375-member police force looking at retirement over the next few years, the time has never been better to consider a career in community law enforcement.

"We have 30 Aboriginal police officers now which is great, but none from Saskatchewan,"

Nyirfa said. "A Chief's Advisory Committee on First Nations and Metis works with new recruits, especially those who follow a traditional pathway. Once the newcomers complete their training, there are many rewarding opportunities to work in the community in positions such as cultural relations or school liaison officers," he said. "There are so many resources in our police service that even recruits who have grown up on reserve or in smaller communities will feel comfortable and are encouraged to apply," he said.

Recruits receive full room, board and wages while they attend municipal officer's training, he said. "Wages start at $34,000 per annum plus medical and pension plans, and there is assistance available for university attendance. Ours is one of the best benefits packages in Canada. After about three years, they are earning $48,000," said Nyirfa. Having a good representation of Aboriginal officers also offers a chance for the non-Aboriginal community to reconsider some of the stereotypes which are still too prevalent in our world, he said. "We are educating the entire community when we employ officers from a diversity of cultures. You might say it's a win-win situation."

Having more Aboriginal police officers can also have a positive effect on Aboriginal youth, Nyirfa explained, by providing them with role models. The Aboriginal officers can get directly involved with youth in the community through programs such as PeaceKeepers, a restorative justice program which Nyirfa designed in 1997 in consultation with the Saskatoon Tribal Council.

Every summer, Nyirfa takes a group of kids on a camping trip that includes canoeing, swimming, sports and recreation. The organizers have also incorporated many of the features of the Aboriginal value system in the follow-up program by bringing together parents, Elders and the police to talk about issues that have gotten the young people in trouble. "But they do more than just talk. They become involved in a wide range of activities that reinforce the Aboriginal value system and the teachings of the medicine wheel, instilling pride in their culture and heritage."

Information abou career opportunities within the Saskatoon Police Service can be found online at www.police.saskatoon.sk.ca.