Quebec Native Affairs present $1.8 million for Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Timothy Thompson receives a check for nearly $1.8 million from Quebec Minister for Native Affairs Advisor Rejean Morissette to support the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service.
AKWESASNE, Feb. 16 - On Friday, February 9, 2007, Rejean Morissette, advisor for Quebec Minister for Native Affairs Geoffrey Kelley, presented Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Timothy Thompson with a check for nearly $1.8 million to support the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service. The exact amount, $1.777 million, will fund the Mohawk Police Service’s continued efforts to serve and protect the community of Akwesasne until 2010.
“The check will ensure continual protection and police service for the community of Akwesasne under the jurisdiction of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne,” said MCA Grand Chief Tim Thompson. “It will allow us to maintain the current level of policing for another three years,” noted the Grand Chief.
For more than 30 years, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service has provided the highest level of professionalism and accountability in meeting the policing needs of approximately 15,000 Akwesasne community members. Formed in 1970 with 12 officers, the Mohawk police force has grown to include 30 uniformed officers, 5 emergency dispatchers and 4 staff. Their officers protect the community and enforce the laws of Akwesasne and Canada in a fair and unbiased manner, as well as provide leadership and serve as role models for the youth.
Since becoming an independent police force in 1991, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service has worked with federal, provincial and other First Nations police forces and agencies on a number of law enforcement initiatives. The Police Service’s “quadra-partite” policing agreement with Akwesasne, Quebec, Ontario and the Government of Canada serves to promote and maintain peace, harmony, justice and cultural values throughout the community.
The funds will enable the Police Service to be comparable to other First Nations, provincial, and municipal law enforcement agencies. It will help its Mohawk police officers to more effectively serve the Akwesasne community by providing general support for its many programs and services. Their range of work includes community policing, general uniform and marine patrol, criminal and joint investigation, anti-drug and traffic law enforcement, K-9 Police service, emergency dispatch, and other services.
“This is an excellent example of a cost-sharing partnership between the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and outside agencies,” said Grand Chief Thompson. The Grand Chief added, “It demonstrates a very real and long term commitment to making a difference in enhancing the safety and security of Akwesasne.”
For further information: Brendan F. White, Mohawk Communications Group, Phone: (315) 769-5465.