Operation Northern Exposure

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police is the voice of Ontario’s Police Leaders 

Members of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police serve their communities as senior police leaders in municipal, regional, provincial, national, and First Nations police services across Ontario

Media Release

Operation Northern Exposure

For Immediate Release: June 21, 2023

Today, in recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), in partnership with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS), the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS), Peel Regional Police (PRP) and York Regional Police (YRP), is pleased to share the outcome of Operation Northern Exposure.

Operation Northern Exposure was a four-month outreach opportunity for officers from the three southern Ontario services to join NAPS officers in the northern communities of Kashechewan, Fort Albany, and Attawapiskat, learning about Indigenous culture and strengthening relationships between police and Indigenous communities to support truth and reconciliation efforts.

Between January 14 and April 4, 2023, a total of 36 officers were stationed with NAPS for one week at a time. While deployed, the officers attended calls for service, engaged with community members and were immersed in northern and Indigenous culture and practices.

The unique partnership enabled HRPS, PRP and YRP officers to build positive relationships with their NAPS counterparts, listening and learning about what community policing looks like in Indigenous culture and forming bonds with band and community leaders.

A video of the officers’ experiences can be viewed here.

“Operation Northern Exposure has shown that that the OACP, the police services, their command staff, and their frontline officers are truly committed to truth and reconciliation,” said NAPS Chief Roland Morrison. “Real truth and reconciliation starts by listening to survivors, families and elders to ensure their stories are at the forefront of our decision making.”

“This program was everything that our services envisioned and more,” said HRPS Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie. “What began as a small step to better understand Indigenous culture and heritage became a gateway to deeper connection with those we served, while there and since.”

“The impact on our officers was immeasurable,” said PRP Chief Nishan Duraiappah. “We firmly believe that the experience and knowledge gained will be a crucial building block for our cultural transformation and highlight the significance of open dialogue and collaborative education in fostering reconciliation efforts.”

“The educational experience for our officers was invaluable,” said YRP Chief Jim MacSween. “It can be difficult to understand policing in Indigenous communities, unless you live that experience, and the impact that had on our officers was powerful. We’re grateful to have been included and we thank our hosts.”

Operation Northern Exposure began with a joint proposal developed by the Halton Regional Police Service and the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service for a ride-along program. Over time, the program expanded to undertake operational policing duties. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Chief Morrison, Deputy Chief Wilkie, Chief Duraiappah and Chief MacSween in early 2023.  

The four services involved will continue to explore how to bring this exceptional experience to more members in the future.

For more information, please contact José Luís (Joe) Couto, OACP Director of Government Relations & Communications at 416 919-9798 or jcouto@oacp.ca or the Corporate Communications Bureaus of the respective services.

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Media Contact:

José Luís (Joe) Couto

Director of Government Relations & Communications
C. (416) 919-9798

E. jcouto@oacp.ca

Twitter: @OACPOfficial

Instagram: @OACPOfficial