First Nations police staffing levels ‘harmfully low’ in Ontario says report – APTN News
May 12, 2025
Author of report says levels contribute to poor mental health for officers.
A new report made public Monday says that mental health issues are prevalent amongst the officers working under the Ontario First Nations Policing Agreement (OFNPA) and that understaffing as well as a lack of health services are to blame.
“Look at the numbers of officers that we have, it’s not that many,” says Const. John Sahanatien of the Hiawatha First Nation Policing Services. “The working alone, I think, is the number one stress. If we could reduce that, I think that would be incredibly helpful.”
The OFNPA funds 72 officers and 10 sergeants for 17 First Nations in Ontario who aren’t covered under other Indigenous, municipal, or provincial police services.
