About

Our Mission

Anishinabek Police Service is committed to restoring and preserving Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin (“The Great Law”) while supporting Minobiimaadiziwin (“The Good Life”). We protect our inherent rights, jurisdiction, and self-determination.

Our Vision

Ganaweniim Anishinabek—Protecting our people.

Declaration of Principles

The Anishinabek Police Service is committed to the following eight principles:

1. Ensuring the safety and security of all people and property within the Anishinabek Communities.

2. Safeguarding the fundamental rights and freedoms as guaranteed within the Treaties.

3. Collaborating with the Treaty stakeholders, and with all other recognized policing authorities in and for the province of Ontario.

4. Respecting victims of crime and understanding their needs.

5. Being inclusive to the diverse, multiracial and multicultural character of the Anishinabek Communities and other jurisdictions.

6. Being responsive to the unique histories and cultures of First Nation communities.

7. Ensuring our Police Governing Authority is representative of the communities it serves.

8. Ensuring that all communities served by the Anishinabek Police Service receive adequate and effective levels of policing by qualified police officers.

Our History

APS is a self-administered Indigenous police service operating in the province of Ontario.

APS serves sixteen Indigenous communities across a vast geographic area spanning from southern Ontario on the shores of Lake Huron, up to northern Ontario on the shores of Long Lake, approximately a four hours’ drive north of Thunder Bay. Our headquarters is situated in Garden River First Nation, with additional detachments in twelve of the sixteen Indigenous communities we serve.

APS was established in 1994 as one of the first self-administered Indigenous police services in Canada, by agreement of four communities of the Anishinabek Nation who came together in an exercise of self-determination to establish their own model of policing and community safety. Since the creation of APS, it has welcomed twelve additional communities into its service area, and it now serves a population of more than 30,000 individuals across these communities.

Police Governing Authority

The Police Governing Authority (PGA) is the official employer of the Anishinabek Police Service and is accountable for ensuring that effective, professional, and culturally responsive policing is delivered to member First Nations.

The PGA is composed of one appointed representative from each member First Nation. It is the responsibility of each community to select and appoint their representative to the Board. This structure ensures that all communities have a voice in the oversight and direction of the Anishinabek Police Service.

As part of its governance responsibilities, the PGA oversees the following areas:

Leadership appointments

  • Recruit and appoint the Police Chief
  • Establish performance standards and conduct annual evaluations
  • Recruit and appoint the Deputy Police Chief

Strategic direction

  • Set and regularly review the overall objectives and priorities of the APS

Human resources oversight

  • Ensure recruitment and hiring of officers and civilian staff are conducted according to established procedures and policies

Committee representation

  • Appoint PGA members to the following standing committees: Finance, Discipline. Cultural

The PGA’s governance ensures that APS operations are grounded in the values, safety priorities, and cultural traditions of the communities it serves. To contact Amanda Neveu, the Anishinabek Police Service’s Board Liaison, please email aneveu@apscops.org.

PGA Members

Bess Legarde

Board Member
Fort William First Nation

April Dore

Board Member
Ginoogaming First Nation

Chief Gerry Duquette

Board Member
Dokis First Nation

Chief Shane Tabobondung

Board Member
Wasauksing First Nation

Debi Bouchie

Board Member
Biigtigong Nishnaabeg
(Pic River)

Lee Ann Gamble

Board Member
Ketegaunseebee
(Garden River First Nation)

Chief Larry Roque

Board Member
Wahnapitae First Nation

Chief Lloyd Noganosh

Board Member

Magnetawan First Nation

Myles Kwissiwa

Board Member
Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg
(Pic Mobert First Nation)

Norma Petahtegoose

Board Member
Sagamok First Nation

Laurie Hockaday

Board Member
Curve Lake First Nation

PJ Sandy

Board Member
Beausoleil First Nation
(Christian Island)

Kayla Thompson

Board Member
Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek
(Rocky Bay First Nation)

Jason Laronde

Chairperson
Nipissing First Nation

Kyle Pawis

Board Member
Shawanaga First Nation

Vince George

Vice-Chairperson (South)
Kettle Point First Nation

Publications

Awards

The Anishinabek Police Service prides itself in our steadfast commitment to our communities. As we continuously strive to be leaders in the First Nations police sector, this dedication and professionalism are reflected in the recognition and awards we have received throughout the years.

In October 20025, the Anishinabek Police Service website – launched on July 15, 2025 – earned two (2) MarCom Awards.

MarCom Awards is an international competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by creative professionals involved in the concept, direction, design and production of marketing and communication materials and programs. Entries come from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, public relations firms, design shops, production companies, and freelancers. Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry.

In August 2025, the Anishinabek Police Service website – launched on July 15, 2025 – earned two (2) dotCOMM awards.

dotCOMM Awards is an international competition honoring excellence in web creativity and digital communication. The competition spotlights the role of creatives in the dynamic, constantly evolving web. The Anishinabek Police Service website was recognized as a Platinum Winner in the categories of: i) policing; and ii) website design. Our Service was one of only three Canadian entities to be recognized as a 2025 Platinum Winner.

In May 2025, Constable Alan Nolan, who serves at the Garden River Detachment of the Anishinabek Police Service, was presented with a Heroes of Service Award by Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District. These awards celebrate the emergency services and law enforcement workers who go above and beyond to keep the community safe, strong and connected. Nolan was nominated for his compassion and dedication to policing in his community.

In May 2025, Detective Constable Matti Primeau and Civilian Analyst Jessica Restoule of the Anishinabek Police Service were awarded Law Enforcement Professionals of the Year for their outstanding work combating human trafficking, particularly protecting Indigenous women and girls. Their collaboration in investigations, victim support, and intelligence analysis has significantly improved outcomes for survivors and strengthened Indigenous-led policing efforts. Notably, their work on ‘Project Uptown’ identified over 20 victims and led to the arrest of six individuals on 81 charges. Their commitment to justice, cultural understanding, and teamwork sets a new standard in law enforcement.

In May 2023, Sgt. Will Farrell of the Garden River Detachment was awarded the Peace Officer of the Year Award by Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma. The 2023 Peace Officer of the Year Awards recognized eight peace officers across seven agencies, including the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Anishinabek Police Service, Batchewana First Nations Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, Algoma Treatment & Remand Center, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and The Canada Border Services Agency.