The chief of the Saskatoon Police Service says he is glad he got to attend the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s national event in Saskatoon.
Clive Weighill took time out yesterday to talk to survivors and the commission about some of the changes his police force has brought in to improve relations with the Aboriginal community.
The chief says relations were at an all-time low following the Neil Stonechild inquiry of 2003 and 2004.
Since that time, Weighill says the force has enhanced its cultural diversity training for members — and citizens with complaints no longer have to take them through the police force:
“I think one of the biggest things I wanted to highlight was the changes in the Saskatchewan Police Act about the ways people can complain if they have an allegation of misconduct against a police officer, and how that’s changed and taken out of the police’s hands now by an oversight group.”
He adds that oversight group contains Aboriginal representation.
Weighill says surveys have shown the trust level between the police and the Aboriginal population is improving.