Officer Perceptions of Canada's ‘First Nations Policing Program’

Abstract

This study examined the perceptions of service delivery and attitudes towards the First Nations Policing Program (FNPP) of 434 sworn officers working in Aboriginal communities. Officers working for self-administered police services (operated by First Nations) were less optimistic about both the effectiveness of service delivery and whether the goals of the FNPP were being met when compared with members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), who provided contract policing to these communities. These results suggest that officer experiences in policing, where they work, their demographic characteristics, as well as their organisational affiliation may shape their perspectives on policing. Implications for future research on Aboriginal, Indigenous and Tribal policing are outlined.