» News Announcements

1.) April 5, 2006 - UCCM Anishnaabe Police Celebrate 10 Years of Service

On the afternoon of April 4, 2006, police officers and their spouses of the UCCM Anishnaabe Police gathered together with members of the police board and various UCCM community leaders to celebrate reaching the Service's 10 years of service milestone in 2006. About 65 people gathered for this event which was hosted by the CEO of the UCCM Tribal Council, Ms. Hazel Recollet. The agenda had a good mix of both serious and some light-hearted topics to reflect and reminisce about the past ten years...and then some!

In the early formative years of First Nation policing, the communities of M'Chigeeng First Nation and Whitefish River First Nation were assigned officers under a police program administered by the OPP, which later became known as the Ontario First Nations Policing Program. In the 1990's, the UCCM Tribal Council began its effort toward the idea of a regional police for the UCCM communities. The officers previously assigned to these two communities were 'amalgamated' together of sorts, and four additional officers were added to the ranks to start off the creation of the new Service. Finally, in March 1996, the first UCCM Policing Agreement was officially signed - and as they say, 'the rest is history'. The Service now boasts a total of 16 officers, with one Special Constable recently hired in January 2006 (who is responsible for offender transportation duties), and three civilian staff.

The 10 year anniversary celebrations provided the opportunity to highlight the various years of service that each of the officers have dedicated to their policing careers, and Chief of Police Albert Beaudin presented each officer with a token of appreciation for their respective years of service as officers. The Service recently implemented a new program to formally recognize the years of service made by each of their employees, based primarily on 5 year intervals, and the anniversary celebrations were an opportune time to recognize their accomplishments. Collectively, the years of service for all of the police service employees equals 236 years of service, and the accomplishment of sustaining a 0% employee turnover rate was celebrated.

One highlight of the evening included the unveiling and presentation of the Service's commissioned artwork project, whereby limited edition prints by artist Ken Ense of M'Chigeeng First Nation were presented to members of the UCCM Tribal Council, and those distinguished members who have served on the board of directors for the Police Commission for 10 consecutive years.

The following officers were presented their service year badge awards:

5 Years of Service:

Constable M. Still

Constable P. Shawanda

10 Years of Service:

Senior Constable H. Debassige

Senior Constable M. Abotossaway

Senior Constable B. Mack

Senior Constable B. Osawabine

Senior Constable B. Ziegler

Senior Constable K. Endanawas

15 Years of Service:

Sergeant R. Nahwegahbow

20 Years of Service:

Detective Constable R. McDonald

25 Years of Service:

Sergeant W. Corbiere

Senior Constable R. Corbiere

30 Years of Service:

Chief of Police Albert Beaudin

Chief Patrick Madahbee of Aundeck Omni Kaning, who is the current Justice/Policing portfolio holder for the UCCM, also spoke about the future vision for an integrated and wholistic justice system that would involve policing and our own tribal court system - and the much needed work ahead in order to reach that vision. The evening culminated with a fine meal prepared by Abby's Fine Dining in M'Chigeeng.

2.) February 15, 2006 - New Youth Justice & Community Services Officer Announced for the Service

The UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service is pleased to announce that Cst. Paul Shawanda has been appointed to the new position of Youth Justice and Community Services Officer as of January 9, 2006. Cst. Shawanda has been an officer with the Service since October 1999 and has been actively involved with community events and functions during his six year career. Cst. Shawanda has volunteered many times to participate in youth activities and events both on and off duty, demonstrating his commitment to his community involvment and unofficial role as ambassador of the Service.

Currently, Cst. Shawanda is making the transition from front-line officer to his new role, and he will be ready to take on his new duties with 100% effort starting in April 2006. In the meantime, he is busy introducing his new role to the UCCM First Nations, and is gathering up preliminary ideas for projects to implement in partnership with each of the respective communities. Prevention, proaction, and partnerships will be cornerstone for the projects and campaigns that will be lead by Cst. Shawanda.

3.) November 16, 2005 - Commissioned Artwork Project for Service Underway

The UCCM Police Services Commission is seeking an original artpiece (an original painting)from our local Manitoulin First Nation artists for the purpose of our newly formalized Recognition and Service Awards Program. This program is intended to recognize distinguished employees who have reached milestone years of service, and to recognize other distinguished members of the public, as determined by a selection panel.

Our intention is to make the selected artwork a prestigious and integral component of our Recognition and Service Awards program, as it will have been created especially for our organization.

On January 12, 2006 the UCCM Police Services Commission reviewed the six entries recieved. Artist Ken Ense's submission entitled "Seven Grandfathers" was selected as the winning piece. Mr. Ense is from the M'Chigeeng First Nation, and the Service extends a 'Chi-Miigwech' (thank you)for all the artists who took part in our project.

4.) November 7, 2005 - New Police Building Under Construction for UCCM

After many years of hard work and dedicated effort, construction has finally started on the much needed police building for the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service and its' member communities. Coincidentally, the construction work began in October 2005, which marks the tenth year anniversary of the police service. The police service's first Tripartite Policing Agreement with the federal and provincial governments was signed back in October 1995.

Throughout the past ten years, the Service has consistently identified their need for a proper police facility within its' funding arrangements. The ability to provide a professional service and its' public image has been the subject of much debate with the funding sources up until this time. While there was certainly empathy for the need for a new facility expressed from the two governements, capital project funding of this type was just not part of the their funding criteria and guidelines. Fortunately, there have been some recent policy decisions made by the governments during the past year that will now allow for such infrastructure development for First Nation police services across Canada, and as a result, the UCCM team began negotiations during this past winter for a new police building. M'Chigeeng First Nation was selected by the UCCM as the host community for the new building, and the First Nation allocated a highly visible and accessible property on Highway 540 for this purpose.

Tribury Construction was awarded the construction contact for the facility, which was designed by the officers and staff of the Service, together with the architect Chris Perry from Perry + Perry Architects of Sudbury. But before any shovels could be placed in the ground, the UCCM Police Services Commission held a traditional ceremony on September 30, 2005 for proper site preparation of the new building. Approximately 30 people attended the 7:00 AM ceremony, which included officers and staff of the Service, Police Commission members, and the Chiefs of the UCCM Tribal Council and their staff. Gordon Waindbunce from Sheguiandah First Nation, who is a former member of the Commission, conducted the site preparation ceremony and his assistance was much appreciated by the Service.

"Our police service has grown over the last 10 years, and we definitely have outgrown our office which was originally meant to be a temporary storefront office in the M'Chigeeng Complex", said Albert Beaudin, who is the Chief of Police for the Service. "The new building will also allow us to have the policing needs met for our communities that are often taken for granted by other police services - such as the storage of our police equipment and the lodging of prisoners. A proper building is required in order to operate any police service."

The UCCM Tribal Council has provided 100% support for the police service in the establishment of the new building, and they have been instrumental in ensuring the project was a success. The grand opening and move-in date is expected for sometime during the Spring of 2006.

5.) November 7, 2005 - New Look Being Sported by UCCM Police

You may have noticed while driving the Highways of Manitoulin that the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service has been sporting a new look. On October 29th, the Service completed its' final conversions of their fleet to the new decal design. The new look was actually inspired by one of their own, and Cst. HARE was instrumental in coming up with possible designs for modernizing the police vehicle appearance. Input for the new design was canvassed from all of the UCCM officers, the the UCCM Police Service Commission (the police board) officially approved the changes this Fall.

The previous look incorporated the traditional Ojibwe medicine wheel colors on the doors with a centre logo. The new look utilizes high visibility blue and white lettering 'UCCM Police', led by a single eagle feather. The new look continues to provide safety and quick recognition of police by using high visibility graphics, while continuing to instill pride in the First Nation culture. The public has responded positively to the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service's new look.

6.) August 29, 2005 - New WebSite Design Completed

UCCMPolice.com has now released an updated and rereshed version of their website. While the content of the new site has been expanded, it still has the basic contents that the previous website contained. One of the key changes made is the addition of a new section titled the "Crime Report" whereby the public will be notififed of incidents occurring within our service area, and in those cases where the public's assistance in needed in helping to solve a crime.

The website is information based, and is meant to act as the first point of contact for anyone who requires information about the service. Comments or other suggestions for improvement to the site are most welcome, and can be sent by email using the site.