by Ed Prudhomme
LITTLE CURRENT鈥擱esidents of Little Current may have noticed an increase in police presence in recent weeks, mainly police constables on bicycles. This increase in police presence results from a new initiative made possible by the collaborative training arrangements between the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) to enhance community policing efforts.聽
This bicycle patrol initiative represents a significant step towards more effective and engaging community policing for the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory communities, promising to bring officers closer to the citizens they serve.聽
The Expositor recently caught up with Sergeant Ben Cruickshank of the OPP and his team of five WTPS constables in training atop McLean鈥檚 Mountain where they were taking a much-deserved break for lunch after a busy morning of bike riding and training. The sergeant was tasked with training the WTPS constables, marking the first time that WTPS officers had received specialized training in police biking. The purpose of police biking is to foster stronger ties between law enforcement and the community by making officers more accessible and present in areas that are typically challenging to navigate by patrol vehicles. These areas include festivals and gatherings, parks, nature trails and other locations where a traditional police presence would be intrusive or unfeasible due to the terrain.聽
鈥淭his initiative is all about promoting community policing,鈥� said Sergeant Cruickshank. 鈥淚t encourages personal contact between the police service and the communities they serve, making our officers more approachable and visible in everyday settings.鈥� The training program, hosted by the OPP, focuses primarily on physical fitness and includes specialized biking skills such as navigating transitions, overcoming obstacles like curbs and maintaining traffic awareness. The constables utilize mountain bikes, which enable them to traverse various terrains efficiently. One of the WTPS officers in training, Constable van Drunen, was quick to point out, 鈥淎lthough almost everyone has already learned to ride a bike as a kid, learning how to ride with all of the equipment we carry is quite challenging.鈥� His comrades agreed as they paused their training to start their lunches and rest their legs.聽
鈥淭his is a fantastic opportunity for our constables,鈥� remarked WTPS media spokesperson Sergeant Jamie Peltier. 鈥淣ot only do they get to improve their physical fitness, but they also experience the Island鈥檚 natural beauty while serving the community in a new and impactful way. This initiative was one that we had wanted to implement for quite some time, but due to shortages in staffing, we were always unable to spare officers to take the training. This round of training comes after (WTPS) recently hired six new constables.鈥�
Looking ahead, WTPS has exciting plans that will further enhance community safety and well-being. Over the next couple of years, they plan to continue expanding their ranks. This influx of new constables will not only contribute to the all-important community policing efforts but also provide opportunities for personal growth and development. This specialized training, like the one they are currently undergoing, and similar all-terrain vehicle (ATV) operations training, are crucial for assisting in more remote and rural locations. The longstanding partnership between the OPP and WTPS demonstrates a commitment to teamwork and cooperation between both services.聽
Sergeant Peltier told the Expositor, 鈥淏oth services often assist each other in delivering essential services, especially when one is occupied with other emergency calls or when geographic challenges could delay response times. The OPP offered to host this training again this year, and we gladly accepted. It鈥檚 an initiative we鈥檝e long wanted to implement, and now, with our recruits, we can finally move forward with it.鈥� WTPS encourages interested individuals to join their ranks by visiting their Facebook page, calling the service directly at (705) 859-3141, or stopping by their office at 2074 Wikwemikong Way, Wiikwemkoong, ON P0P 2J0. While First Nations heritage is an asset, WTPS emphasizes seeking the best-qualified candidates regardless of ancestry or background. This expansion and the specialized training opportunities it brings signify a bright and promising future for WTPS and the community it serves.聽
