FREDERICTON – The New Brunswick government has officially entered discussions to establish a First Nations-led police force, a move aimed at giving Indigenous communities greater autonomy over their own safety. Indigenous Affairs Minister Keith Chiasson confirmed that the province is prepared to support the creation of a specialized police system managed by the communities themselves. This policy shift comes in response to growing tensions and a series of tragic incidents over the past few years, during which four First Nations individuals were killed in encounters with police.
The urgency of this initiative was accelerated by the recent death of a young man from the Neqotkuk (Tobique) First Nation, who was fatally shot by the RCMP. This incident sparked widespread protests and intensified demands from tribal leaders for an alternative to the current provincial policing model. While the government has welcomed the call for community-led enforcement, Minister Chiasson noted that the transition involves significant legal complexities, particularly regarding the transfer of security responsibilities currently held by the RCMP to local Indigenous authorities.
As an immediate first step, the government plans to expand the “Peacekeeper” model, which is already successfully utilized in Mi’kmaw communities, to other First Nations areas. Peacekeepers serve as a vital community link, acting as a security gateway and working in collaboration with the RCMP to de-escalate potential conflicts. By integrating these local responders more formally into the safety framework, the province hopes to create a culturally sensitive layer of protection that prioritizes community trust and reduces the likelihood of violent confrontations.
The long-term vision involves a phased transition toward a fully equipped and independent Indigenous police service. Provincial officials believe that by building this capacity step-by-step, they can improve the fractured relationship between the justice system and First Nations people. The government remains committed to working through the jurisdictional hurdles to ensure that the new system is both legally robust and capable of providing the high standard of safety that community leaders are demanding.
