April 3, 2023 marks the end of a 30 year career in policing for Senior Constable and Court Officer Maxwell Abotossaway of Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation.
In 1992, about to make a move to Sudbury where he worked for the Ministry of Labour, Max saw a recruitment ad for the Ontario Provincial Police’s First Nation Constable program. He applied and was offered the job. Max was one of a group of First Nations Recruits who went to Ontario Police College that year. He graduated with his colleagues, Sergeant Heather Debassige and Staff Sergeant Brad Mack, both still with the service. They began their careers with the West Bay Police. A few years later, the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service was established and Max spent his entire career with the service.
He worked the front line for the majority of his career and in 2019, he took the Court Officer position with the goal of somewhat normalizing his remaining years as an officer by working regular work hours and away from the frontline. He did this while maintaining his 1st Class Constable, Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO), and Breathalyzer qualifications.
His colleagues acknowledged the words of wisdom he often shared over coffee, his profound knowledge of all things movies, news, television, physics, mathematics, history, and most notably his humour. He was passionate about his policing career and served with integrity, humility, and was truly dedicated to serving the UCCM First Nations.
We hope that he enjoys his retirement while spending more time with his wife Beverly, his sons Gabriel and Wesley (fiance Jada), and his grandchildren Griffin and Renan.
On behalf of the UCCM Police Commission, UCCM Police Officers and Staff, and the UCCM First Nations, Congratulations to Senior Constable Maxwell Abotossaway for a job well done!! If you see Max out and about please wish him well and help me thank him for his 30 years of policing service.
James Killeen
Chief of Police
UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service