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Aboriginal Liaison

T.B.P.S. Aboriginal Liaison Unit Advisory Committee Members 

Purpose of the Aboriginal Liaison Unit
The Unit was established to bridge the gap between the Aboriginal population and the Thunder Bay Police Service.  The unit maintains a positive relationship with the Aboriginal Community through effective communication, awareness training and the development of crime prevention and recruitment strategies.

Role of the Aboriginal Liaison Officers

 Constables Ritch and Baxter

Constables Barry Ritch & Larry Baxter - Thunder Bay Police Service Aboriginal Liaison Officers

The Aboriginal Liaison Officer is responsible for developing and delivering effective liaison services to promote positive relations between the Thunder Bay Police Service and the Aboriginal Community.

The Aboriginal Liaison Officer represents the Thunder Bay Police Service on the following committees: 

  • Aboriginal Liaison Unit Advisory Committee
  • Project Management Team-Diversity in Policing Project
  • Community Coalition Unified for the Protection of Our Children and Youth (CCUPCY)
  • Aboriginal Domestic Violence Committee
  • Diversity Thunder Bay
  • Welcoming and Settlement Committee
  • National Aboriginal Day Committee
  • Drug Awareness Committee
  • Community Youth Coalition
  • Thunder Bay Youth Justice Community Partners

Recruitment Strategies

  • In August 2006 the Aboriginal Liaison officer traveled to Sudbury Ontario to take part in the making of an Aboriginal Recruitment video called “A Future For You”.  The video is available for viewing, just click on the left column under police videos and scroll down.
  •  The Unit promotes the Thunder Bay Police Service as a career opportunity for members of the Aboriginal community by participation in career fairs and other community events. The Aboriginal Liaison officer can also arrange for meetings to discuss career opportunities at the Thunder Bay Police Service.
  • The Aboriginal Liaison Officer is part of the Constable Selection System Interview Team for the Thunder Bay Police Service and has interviewed numerous candidates for the position of constable.

Promoting Diversity

  • Identifies appropriate community resources to facilitate cultural awareness training for the Thunder Bay Police Service.
  • The Aboriginal Liaison Officer is currently delivering a training package entitled Diversity in Policing.  The training is offered to all sworn members of the Thunder Bay Police Service.  A civilian version of the training is under development.
  • As part of the National Aboriginal Day Committee the Aboriginal Liaison Officer promotes cultural awareness by attending and participating in the celebrations and encouraging other officers to attend the celebration as participants or spectators.

Providing information to the Aboriginal Community

  • When requested the Aboriginal Liaison Officer will attend meetings, workshops and seminars to provide police input and be available for consultation
  • The Aboriginal Liaison officer can facilitate information sessions to different Aboriginal organizations across the city on different facets of the law and police procedures and services

The Aboriginal Police Liaison Unit Advisory Committee
The Aboriginal Liaison Unit Advisory Committee is a group of community members and police representatives working in partnership to ensure a coordinated approach for the provision of services provided by the Thunder Bay Police Service for the Aboriginal People of the City of Thunder Bay and surrounding area.

The purpose of the committee is to advise the Thunder Bay Police Service Chief of Police in the delivery of police services which are responsive to the needs of the Aboriginal Community and which are respectful to the needs of the Aboriginal Community and which are respectful of the safety, security, rights and freedoms of Aboriginal peoples.

The Aboriginal Liaison Unit Advisory committee provides guidance the unit to assist in establishing priorities to address the specific needs of our Aboriginal community.  The committee ensures that the Thunder Bay Police Service has and understanding of Aboriginal issues to ensure an appropriate police response to these concerns.

To learn more about the Aboriginal Liaison Unit Advisory Committee or if you want to be become part of the committee contact committee chair person at (807) 345-5840 or by fax (807) 344-8495.

 Initiatives and Events

 Constable Larry Baxter - National Aboriginal Day 2009

National Aboriginal Day 2009 - Thunder Bay
Left to Rigth: Constable Larry Baxter, Thunder Bay Police, Bob Jacobson, RCMP, Sgt Bob Baxter, NAPS, Constable Robin Bannon, Anishnabek Police,Sgt Marty Singleton, OPP

Interested in a Police career?  Visit the Career Opportunities web page for more information.

Want to learn more about the testing required for this career?  Visit the Applicant Testing Services web site for more information.