» Complaints & Compliments

Public Complaints Process

Every public complaint received regarding the conduct of a police officer, or any civilian employee of the Service, is taken very seriously, and is investigated.

In some cases, upon investigation of the complaint, it is discovered that a miscommunication or a misunderstanding has occurred, and in these cases an acceptable resolution to the satisfaction of all parties involved is achieved.

This following briefly sets out the process and procedures that are followed upon receipt of a formal written complaint regarding the conduct or actions of an employee of the U.C.C.M. Anishnaabe Police Service.

Who Sees Your Complaint

Regardless of where your complaint is lodged, or filed, a copy of your complaint will be sent to the Chief of Police of the U.C.C.M. Anishnaabe Police.

The employee(s) referred to in the complaint will be informed of the substance of your complaint, unless doing so would prejudice the investigation of your complaint.

If your complaint concerns the Chief of Police of the U.C.C.M. Anishnaabe Police Service, it will be directed to the Chairperson of the U.C.C.M. Police Services Commission. The Commission will rhen assign an investigator to your complaint.

You may request the services of an interpreter to translate the Complaint Form if you are not comfortable or fluent in the English language. You may have your own interpreter, and/or an interpreter can be located for you. The interpreter will be required to sign a prescribed form, "Confirmation of Translation of a Public Complaint".

Resolution and/or Withdrawal of Your Complaint

Attempts to resolve your complaint will be made before a full investigation is conducted by the Chief of Police. No complaint will be considered to be ‘resolved informally’ unless both you and the subject employee of the U.C.C.M. Anishnaabe Police Service agree, in writing, to the resolution of your complaint.

Where your withdrawal is the result of a threat or improper pressure, the withdrawal will be null and void, and your complaint will continue to be dealt with formally in accordance with the U.C.C.M. Police Services Commission Complaints and Code of Conduct & Discipline Policy.

Your complaint may be informally resolved or withdrawn at any stage in the complaint process by you.

Investigation and Reports

Upon receipt of your complaint and, if an informal resolution cannot be reached between you and the Chief of Police, then the Chief of Police will begin formal investigation procedures requiring additional time and resources to complete.

You will receive correspondence acknowledging receipt of your complaint and a report on a monthly basis thereafter, unless the investigation of the complaint might be prejudiced by so doing.

If, at any time, you are not satisfied with the manner in which your complaint is being handled, you may contact any member of the U.C.C.M. Police Services Commission to advise them of your concern.

When the investigation has been completed, a final report will be sent to you, the U.C.C.M. Police Services Commission, and the employee of the U.C.C.M. Anishnaabe Police Service concerned.

Investigative Assistance by a Cooperating First Nation Police Service

The Chief of Police, or the U.C.C.M. Police Services Commission will determine on a case by case basis if the complaint shall be investigated by another First Nation Police Service. The co-operating police services include the Wikwemikong Tribal Police, Wikwemikong, Ontario, and the Anishinabek Police Services, Garden River, Ontario.

Decision of the Chief of Police of the U.C.C.M. Anishnaabe Police Service

After completing all investigative reports, the Chief of Police, shall in writing:

(a) Decide that no further action is necessary, with reasons for the decision; or

(b) Discipline the subject employee of the U.C.C.M. Anishnaabe Police Service under the Code of Conduct & Discipline, Part III of the Public Complaints Policy; and/or

(c) Cause an information to be laid against the employee, and/or refer the matter to the Crown Attorney for prosecution for criminal actions; You will be advised in writing as to the decision of the Chief of Police.


Appeal to the U.C.C.M. Police Services Commission

If you are not satisfied with the decision made by the Chief of Police, within thirty (30) days of notification of the initial decision, you may request that the U.C.C.M. Police Services Commission review the decision of the Chief of Police.

Upon receipt of your request for review by the Commission, the Commission will review the facts and investigation to date, and may deem that the complaint be further investigated. You may be requested to attend the Commission's hearing on the matter. The subject employee may be requested to attend the Commission hearing as well.

Upon final decision by the U.C.C.M. Police Services Commission, you will be advised of the findings and reasons for such findings. The Chief of Police and the subject employee will also be advised of the findings of the Commission.

Appeal to the U.C.C.M. Citizens Review Committee

An independent citizens committee has been established to ensure police accountability to the member First Nations of the U.C.C.M. cmmunities. If you are not satisfied with the decision made by the U.C.C.M. Police Services Commission, within 15 days of notification of the Commission’s decision, you may request that the U.C.C.M. Citizens Review Committee review the decision of the Commission.

The Citizens Review Committee will review the facts of the investigation and will submit a recommendation back to the UCCM Police Services Commission for their action. As the UCCM Police Services Commission is the legal employer of the members of the Service, they must make any final decisions regarding the employment status of any employee.

(Note: A selection process of committee members is planned for 2007/2008. The Review Committee is inactive at this time).

Year 2006 - (in progress - to be confirmed)

Year 2005 - 0 public complaints received and investigated

Year 2004 - 3 public complaints received and investigated

Year 2003 - 1 public complaints received and investigated

DO YOU HAVE A COMPLIMENT?

We'd also like to report on the good things that our officers do in the line of duty too. It is most often these types of appreciation and just saying 'thanks' that makes the policing profession a rewarding career. Here are some items that we have been 'thanked for' over the past year...

Nov 2006 - The principal of Lakeview School in M'Chigeeng First Nation expressed their thanks for the 'outstanding contribution' to the school made by the two officers who regularly attend the school to help the students in choosing safe and healthy lifestyle choices. "They have both gone out of their way tomeet the needs of our students, respect their ideas and beliefs, and deliver a powerful, personal, and professional message"!

September 2005 - The Service recieved a thank card from the students of Manitoulin Secondary School for helping the Terry Fox Run. It was a safe and successful event!

February 2005 - A note of appreciation was received from a registered nurse at a detention facility in Sudbury, ON for the extra effort made by two of our officers in ensuring that the cleint was assessed efficienty and safely for the everyone involved. "It is so appreciated to work side by side with such professionals".

August 2005 - An officer of the Service was officially thanked for his work in Sheshegwaning by the members of the community. The officer and his family were quite moved with the number of people that came out to say 'miigwech', and they were also presented some unique keepsake items on behalf of the community. The officer had resided in the community for approximately 5 years, and was extensively involved in the community both on and off duty. The officer had purchased a home in another community, and the police commission was in full suport of his new residency location. The officer continues to provide policing service to all of the UCCM First Nation communities, and he continues to maintain friendships and ties with many of the community members. Two new officers were also welcomed to the community during the same event, and they were jokingly forewarned that they had big expectations to fulfill...

April 2005 - Thanks was expressed by our local VCARS program for the help that one of our officers provided for the annual Spring Conference held in April pf each year.

December 2004 - The newly appointed members to the ranks of Detective Constable and Sergeant for the Service were presented with an eagle feather in M'Chigeeng First Nation during the UCCM Police Services' Commission recognition and welcome event held on December 9, 2004. The two officers had held the former rank of Senior Constable up until November 2004. Both officers were thrilled and at the same time humbled to be given such an honour.

An officer was thanked by the participating students from Manitoulin Secondary School for Cst. Paul Shawanda for attending their canoe trip and making the excursion a success!

Anther officer was thanked for their participation in the youth summer camp experience for M'Chigeeng...already looking forward to next year!

We'd love to hear about the good things that our officers do in the line of duty - if you would like to share a few words, please take a moment and email or contact us!

UCCMPOLICE@UCCMPOLICE.COM