The oldest police force in North America has committed to following recommendations from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Const. James Cadigan of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, which has been around since 1729, says building relationships means better policing.
“This particular relationship that we’ve looked to develop with Indigenous people of Newfoundland and Labrador is very important,” he said of the 45,000 Indigenous people who live on the island.
A month ago the First Voice Urban Indigenous Coalition of St. John’s issued its own report on policing called Building Trust, Restoring Confidence.
The report concluded the provincial police forced has poor transparency and accountability.
It suggested 26 ways to make improvements, including establishing a civilian oversight board with Indigenous representation.
