The Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation is looking for a bigger police presence on the reserve.
According to former chief Rick Gamble, the RCMP is expected to provide the band with officers who spend 80% of their time on the First Nation.
Gamble says the band even built a detachment office and a residence for the officers to live in — but so far, the force hasn’t lived up to its side of the agreement:
“In fact, our police officers who are supposed to be stationed in Beardy’s have spent time policing other small communities around Duck Lake and Rosthern.”
He adds a lawsuit has even been filed over the issue, but the band would prefer to sit down with the RCMP and find a solution.
The Mounties declined to comment on the case, saying it’s before the courts.