Police need to brace for blame, says AFN chief

WINNIPEG Canada’s top First Nations leader says police should brace themselves for some blame in an upcoming inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde says fingers will be pointed during the inquiry, which is expected to last two years.

“You guys didn’t do an adequate job. You didn’t put enough human and financial resources into the research and the investigation surrounding all these cases involving First Nations women,” Bellegarde said Wednesday in a speech to police chiefs from across the country.

“That’s what’s going to happen. You know that. I know that. So what is your answer?”

Police forces should start compiling statistics and thoughts now, he suggested.

They should figure out how to showcase what they’re doing well, but be equally prepared to examine their shortcomings.

Many people still stereotype indigenous people as “stupid, lazy, drunk, (and on) welfare,” he said. “Be big enough to show that more work needs to be done to improve the system.”

The federal government is expected to set a mandate this summer for the long-awaited inquiry into about 1,200 missing and murdered indigenous women.

A report released Wednesday summarizing public consultations suggested law enforcement should address “delays in responding to reports of missing indigenous women and girls.”

Saskatoon police Chief Clive Weighill, head of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, said some of the criticism likely to come out of the inquiry is justified.