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 |
| Preceding agencies |
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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 special police force in British Columbia, Canada. It serves the St'at'imc (also called Stlʼatlʼimx) First Nations people. The STPS is the only Indigenous police service in British Columbia.
Their police officers are called "provincial constables." This means they have the same full police powers as other police officers throughout the province. The STPS has offices in Lillooet and Mount Currie.
The STPS helps keep these communities safe:
- N'Quatqua (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)
- 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 from this program patrolled their lands. They also worked with the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police). Their goal was to prevent crime and help bring criminals to justice.
In 1988, the council expanded this security program. They created "peacekeepers" for the communities of T'itq'et, Tsalalth, and Lil'wat. These peacekeepers helped maintain order and safety.
Becoming a 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 a partner. It also confirmed the RCMP's main role in policing these communities.
In 1999, a law called the BC Police Act was updated. This update allowed for "designated policing agencies" like the STPS. The STPS was then officially re-established under this law. This gave them full police authority.
How the STPS Works
Unique Police Structure
The STPS is the only First Nations Administered Police Service (FNAPS) in British Columbia. This means it is run by the First Nations communities it serves. It is set up like an independent police department in a city or town.
A special police board oversees the STPS. Members of this board are chosen from the communities the police serve. This helps make sure the police serve the community's needs.
Police Officers and Training
Police officers who work for the STPS are either experienced officers. Or, they are new graduates from the Justice Institute of British Columbia, Police Academy. This academy trains police officers.
In 2013, the Stlʼatlʼimx Tribal Police had 9 police officers. These officers work hard to keep their communities safe.
Related Topics
- Aboriginal police in Canada
- List of law enforcement agencies in British Columbia
- E-Comm
