The Merritt RCMP detachment has a First Nations Policing unit, which consists of four members who work in partnership with each of the five local bands in the Merritt area.

The Merritt members are:

Cpl. Rick AIRD from Moberly Lake with 25 years of service.

Cst. Tracy DUNSMORE from New Brunswick with 29 years of service.

Cst. Chester WILLIAMS from New Hazelton with 20 years of service.

Cst. Rose GRANT from Canim Lake with 20 years of service.

First Nations Policing is a federal initiative which operates in accordance with the First Nations Policing Policy, and is provided with supportive funding from Public Safety Canada, which also provides resources and training to FNP members.

The FNP units are made up of regular members who focus on community-based policing and crime prevention, and working towards the basic principles of reconciliation.

There are two types of Indigenous policing, according to the government of Canada:

  • Self-administered Police Service Agreements, where a First Nation or Inuit community manages its own police service under provincial policing legislation and regulations; and
  • Community Tripartite Agreements, where a dedicated contingent of officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police provides policing services to a First Nation or Inuit community.

Youth, elder safety and community safety are the top priorities for Merritt’s FNP unit. FNP members also work with Indigenous agencies within the community to address issues or concerns they may raise.

“Local members are involved in the Nicola Valley Aboriginal Community Justice Program, which oversees Restorative Justice, Indigenous Court and the upcoming Indigenous Justice Centre,” reads a statement from the Merritt detachment.

“Several members also instruct courses at NVIT to assist in the National priority of recruitment of Indigenous persons into the RCMP as well as sitting on several other community boards and groups that help build relationships and provide services to the Indigenous communities.”

Members also participate in community events including an annual canoe pull on Nicola Lake which has taken place for the past seven years. FNP members also visit Band schools to provide demonstrations on topics such as community safety, domestic violence and the dangers of impaired driving, for which they use immensely popular pedal go-karts.

“What I like about the First Nations policing over general duty is the community interaction and the ability to have that relationship instead of going from call-to-call,” said Cst. Rose Grant.

“We use community interaction in order to build positive community relations with the RCMP and surrounding aboriginal communities. There are so many things that I like about FNP. I like how inclusive they are and invite us to community events and welcome us in.”