Stlʼatlʼimx Tribal Police Service facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stlʼatlʼimx Tribal Police Service |
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Uniform shoulder patch of the STPS
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| Common name | Tribal Police |
| Abbreviation | STPS |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1992 |
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| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | British Columbia, Canada |
| Population | 6,260 approx. (St'at'imc) |
| Constituting instrument |
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| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Police Officers | 9 |
| Elected officer responsible |
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| Agency executive |
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| Offices | Lillooet, Mount Currie |
The Stlʼatlʼimx Tribal Police Service (STPS) is a police force that serves the St'at'imc (also known as Stlʼatlʼimx) First Nations people in British Columbia, Canada. It is the only Indigenous police service in British Columbia. STPS officers are official provincial constables. This means they have full police powers to keep the peace and enforce laws anywhere in the province, whether they are on duty or not. Their main offices are located in Lillooet and Mount Currie.
The STPS helps keep communities safe. They serve several First Nations communities. These include N'Quatqua (near Anderson Lake), Lil'wat (Mount Currie), Samahquam (Baptiste-Smith), Sekw'el'was (Cayoose Creek), Skatin (Skookumchuck), T'it'q'et (Lillooet), Tsalalh (Seton Lake), Ts'kw'aylaxw (Pavilion), Xa'xtsa (Douglas), and Xaxli'p (Fountain).
Contents
How the STPS Started
Early Security Efforts
The idea for the STPS began in 1986. The Lillooet First Nation band council started a security program. Officers in this program patrolled their lands. They also worked with the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police). Their goal was to prevent crime and help bring offenders to justice.
From Peacekeepers to Police
In 1988, the council expanded this security program. They created a group called "peacekeepers." These peacekeepers worked to keep the peace in the communities of T'itq'et, Tsalalth, and Lil'wat. This was an important step towards having their own police force.
Becoming an Official Police Service
By 1992, the government of British Columbia and seven Stlʼatlʼimx communities worked together. They started a special project for tribal policing. An agreement was made with the RCMP. This agreement made the RCMP the main police authority in these communities.
In 1999, the BC Police Act was changed. This change allowed for special policing agencies like the STPS. The STPS was then officially re-established under this act. This made them a recognized police agency with full powers.
How the STPS Works
Unique Police Structure
The STPS is the only First Nations Administered Police Service (FNAPS) in British Columbia. It is set up like an independent city police department. A police board manages the department. Members of this board are chosen from the communities that the STPS serves.
Training and Officers
Police officers who join the STPS are well-trained. Some are already experienced police officers. Others are new graduates from the Police Academy at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. This training ensures they are ready to serve their communities.
In 2013, the Stlʼatlʼimx Tribal Police had nine police officers. These officers work hard to keep the Stlʼatlʼimx communities safe.
See also
- Aboriginal police in Canada
- List of law enforcement agencies in British Columbia
- E-Comm
