» Service Area

Primary Service Area

The UCCM Anishnaabe Police's primary service area are the member First Nation communities of the UCCM Tribal Council located on Manitoulin Island, and on Hwy 6:

Between the communities of Zhiibaahaasing First Nation and Whitefish River First Nation, the travel distance is approximately 91 miles, or 145 km. This distance represents a challenge for quick response times for emergency calls for service.

Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin Island is the world’s largest fresh water Island and is located in northern Ontario on Lake Huron. The Island also has access to the North Channel and Georgian Bay waters, and is approximately 130 km from east to west, and 48 km wide. Access to the Island is by car from the north, or by ferry in the south. Highway 6, Highway 540 and Highway 551 represent the main traffic routes to travel Manitoulin Island. The Chi-Cheemaun ferry service from Tobermory, Ontario brings visitors to South Baymouth in the south part of the island. The nearest city is located approximately 180 km away, namely, Sudbury, Ontario.

During the summer months, the population of Manitoulin Island grows by more than a quarter of its usual size due to all the boating and summer activities offered on the Island.

Manitoulin Island has various municipalities and townships, as well as First Nation communities. These townships and municipalities are not included in the U.C.C.M. Anishnaabe Police Service’s primary jurisdictional area, however, it is routine to assist other police services and readily provide assistance as needed. The geographic distances between our primary jurisdictional areas generally result in greater police visibility overall for Manitoulin.

Map of Manitoulin Island

Population Statistics

In total, the population of the U.C.C.M. Anishnaabe Police Service area is estimated to be close to 2000, which represents permanent residents who reside within the First Nation communities. Each First Nation also has members who, for various reasons, do not actually reside on the reserve, and this accounts for the partial differences reported in population vs. member statistics. As well, other part time and seasonal residents are within the police service’s primary service area as well, and the population statistics increase accordingly during the summer months.

Other Police Services On Manitoulin Island There are other police services that are located on Manitoulin Island as well. The Ontario Provincial Police provide service to the various townships and municipalities (i.e. non First Nation communities) on the Island, and the Wikwemikong Tribal Police provides service to the Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve.

The U.C.C.M. Anishnaabe Police Service works in conjunction with these other services, and have protocols in place that enhance the overall services provided to the residents of Manitoulin Island.