A Message from the Chief of Police:
Dear Wiikwemkoong Community,
Over the past year, our police service has seen crime rates rise across the territory and following the Robinson Huron Treaty (RHT) Per Capita Distributions. While these payments have provided financial support to many families, they have also led to serious and measurable impacts on community safety and on the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service.
Since the first payments were issued in late summer 2024, we have recorded substantial increases in calls for service, arrests, and charged persons.We have also seen more collisions and fatalities involving ATVs and a dramatic rise in complex, time-consuming investigations that demand extensive officer time for interviews, court briefs, testimony, and follow-up work.
These realities have placed a heavy strain on our officers, our resources, and our community as a whole. The increases are not just statistics; they represent the challenges families are facing, the risks that our youth are encountering, and the pressures that ripple across Wiikwemkoong.
Yet, I do not bring this message to discourage you. I bring it as a call for us to work together. We cannot address these challenges as a police service alone. We must approach them as a community, supporting one another, practicing safety on our roads, trails, and waters, reporting crime when it occurs, and standing with those who may be struggling.Only through collective action can we reduce the risks and ensure a safer future for everyone.
As a force, we have taken decisive steps to adapt. We have restructured staffing and deployment, launched new units, expanded training, and strengthened capacity so that we can continue to meet growing demands. But these measures, while essential, are not enough on their own. Lasting solutions depend on police, families, Elders, youth, and community partners working side by side to protect and strengthen Wiikwemkoong.
The data we share in this newsletter is a reflection of what we are all experiencing. It confirms that the cost of crime, both financially and socially, is rising, and that the workload and stress placed upon our police service have increased. At the same time, it underscores the need for partnership and unity. Together, we must face these challenges with honesty, accountability, and resilience.
WTPS will continue to communicate openly and transparently with you. I ask you to continue supporting one another, to remain vigilant, and to join us in ensuring that Wiikwemkoong remains a place of strength, culture, and security for everyone.
Chi Miigwech for your ongoing trust and support.
Sincerely,
Chief Ron Gignac, Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service
To read the full community update, visit: WTPS Fall Newsletter V2