Northern Alberta First Nations police force receiving $6.9M from province

Lakeshore Regional Police Service officers can be seen in a photo posted to social media on Oct. 4, 2024. (Photo: Facebook/Lakeshore Regional Police Service)

Five First Nation communities in northern Alberta are receiving funding for regional police services.

The Alberta government announced on Tuesday that Budget 2025 includes $6.9 million over three years to expand the Lakeshore Regional Police Service.

The police service was established in 2008 and operates out of Driftpile Cree First Nation, Alta. It covers that community and four others: Sawridge First Nation, Swan River First Nation, Sucker Creek First Nation and Kapawe’no First Nation.

According to its website, the Lakeshore team consists of a chief of police, two inspectors, two sergeants, ten constables and seven support staff.

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The province said funding will expand the existing detachment building and increase the police capacity for the five First Nations.

“This commitment from the Government of Alberta affirms what we have always known—our people have the inherent right and responsibility to protect our own, as our ancestors intended when Treaty was made,” said Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta.

“Self-administered Indigenous policing is an expression of our sovereignty, our laws and our way of keeping our communities safe.”

“The expansion is more than just the addition of space and facilities,” said Dean Syniak, Lakeshore chief of police.

“It reflects government’s understanding that First Nations policing plays a critical role in ensuring that our communities remain secure and that we have the resources necessary to serve effectively.”

This year’s funding is $1.8 million, with $3.6 million in 2026-27 and $1.5 million planned for 2027-28.

The other two First Nations police services are the Blood Tribe Police Service and the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service.

All other First Nations and Métis settlements are policed by the RCMP.