Ontario First Nations threaten to disband police service over funding issues

The organization that represents nearly 50 First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario is threatening to disband the region’s indigenous police service if the province and Ottawa refuse to spend the money needed to run the force properly and to keep people safe.

The 130 members of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, which has operated for more than two decades, have voted to strike in the face of what their union, the police bosses and the leadership of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation say are dangerous working conditions and dismal wages. The police officers routinely patrol alone, must contend with broken radios, a lack of equipment, stations infested by mice, problems with heating and cooling and, in some cases, they operate out of trailers.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-first-nations-threaten-to-disband-police-service-over-funding-issues/article31072310/