Siksika working to confront crime

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Siksika Nation is developing new plans to address crime, including the establishment of a community peace officer program.

Councillor Reuben “Buck” Breaker, chair of the chief and council public safety community relations task force at Siksika, held a Facebook Live address on Aug. 26, to discuss topics and address questions regarding crime and enforcement. Staff Sgt. Tim Kelly of the Gleichen RCMP and Siksika Nation Councillor Susan Solway also took part.

Siksika Nation has developed a strategic plan to address public safety, explained Breaker.

The first stage of the plan was conducting an assessment. Then, the second stage was to expand Siksika’s security, such that it is now active 24/7. However, security personnel cannot enforce bylaws, such as Siksika’s mandatory curfew bylaw, and instead work to support efforts by the RCMP.

The third stage of the plan, which is being developed, is for Siksika to have its own peace officers that can enforce bylaws passed by its chief and council.

“We’re working with an agency to provide training for members, and once they get that training, they will be authorized to enforce bylaws,” said Breaker.

Tribal police would also be permitted to enforce provincial statues, such as those relating to speeding and vehicle registration, along provincial roadways as well, added Kelly.

During the address, community members suggested that stations should be posted at entry points to stop criminals coming from outside Siksika. However, enforcing the borders at Siksika Nation is challenging because of jurisdictional issues and its size.

“I think we’ve counted over 20 entrance points – I think 24 – all over the nation, with three major highways that run through the nation,” said Breaker.

He highlighted the importance of community involvement in watching for and documenting suspicious activity. A citizen crime watch program is also being developed, which will provide systems to ensure the anonymity of people providing tips or observations regarding crime or suspicious activity.

In the meantime, residents with complaints can call dispatch (the Operational Communication Centre), which uses an encrypted radio frequency, to reach RCMP members. 

“If you’re still worried about (anonymity), just tell them you don’t want your name broadcasted and that you want to talk to a policeman,” said Kelly.

The more information provided about suspicious activity, the better, said Kelly. License plate number, description of the vehicle, description of the person, and the time and place they were seen are all important.

There are also plans being developed to restart Siksika’s Community Consultative Group (CCG), which is a group of community members, including elders and youth, to work as a liaison between Siksika Nation and the RCMP. The CCG is provided for under the Community Tripartite Agreement, which is the agreement between the First Nation, RCMP and government for the provision of police services.

“The plan is having more community input in a lot of these ideas moving forward,” said Breaker.