Mental health review of Indigenous police paints grim picture, calls for more federal and provincial funding

A new study shows underfunding of Indigenous police forces in Ontario is hurting the mental health of officers who patrol reserves and says more money from the federal and provincial governments is the cure. 

The mental health review commissioned by the Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario found that the "internal culture" of the nine First Nations police forces does "not support the mental health of members."

The report's findings include:

The review made 27 recommendations, most of them coming down to the need for more funding from the provincial and federal governments.

Roland Morrison, the acting president of the Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario and the chief of Nishnawbe-Aski Police, says the purpose of this study was to "leverage" more money from Queen's Park and Ottawa.

"It says a lot. It does say that we're underfunded," said Morrison.

"It's hard for us to bash the funders. They would love to give us more. We know they're also restricted. They can't just write us a blank cheque."

Despite being well aware of the situation faced by his officers patrolling dozens of remote First Nations across northern Ontario, Morrison says he was surprised by some of the report's findings.

He was interested to see Indigenous officers say it's often more stressful when they are working in their home communities, especially dealing with violent crimes on a daily basis. 

"The violence that is occurring in First Nations communities and having to work in that environment is very impactful," said Morrison.

Indigenous police forces have been lobbying for years for more stable funding and a re-working of the formula that sees the federal government cover 52 per cent of costs and the provinces pay 48 per cent, but Morrison says this mental health crisis now takes priority. 

"It doesn't matter where it comes from or who is contributing what, let's just get the help and let's get it to our people," he said.

Chantal Larocque, an Anishinabek Police officer in the northeast and the secretary of the Public Service Alliance of Canada union local representing officers across the province, is hoping this report will finally bring change.

"I just hope it's not another Indigenous study that sits on the shelf in a politician's office and nothing is done," she said.