AMPS officers among First Nations police recognized for years of service

At an awards ceremony in Wendake, Quebec on Sept. 8, First Nations police officers from across the province were recognized by their chiefs of police and the Surete du Quebec for long-term commitment to their community’s police force.

The ceremony takes place every year and acknowledges officers with 15 years or more of service. Each recognized officer is presented with a medal designed to celebrate culture while symbolizing the importance of respect, dignity, honor and integrity.

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Chiefs Karen Loran and Wesley Benedict attended the ceremony to help celebrate Akwesasne’s long-term officers. This year’s recipients were:

Kenneth (Kuy) Chaussi

Pete Francis

William LaFrance (not present)

Roger Mitchell

Kevin Nanticoke

James Sunday

Robert White

The meeting was held at the Wendake Museum Hotel. Other officials present were: 

Konrad Sioui, Grand Chief of Wendake

Deputy to Robert Dutil, Public Security Minister

Richard Deschesnes, Director General of the Sureté du Québec

Representative of the RCMP

Director of Québec Municipal Police

 The evening started with a few short words from each of the officials giving thanks to the police officers for the devoted service that they have given their communities.

 Grand Chief Konrad Sioui remarked on the hardship that these officers had to deal with when their departments were first started. 

“They had to start from the bottom up,” Chief Sioui said. “They had little or no equipment to work with, not much help from outside departments…”

However, the officers persevered, as Chief Sioui noted, and have come to earn the respect of their counterparts and communities.  

 The medals were presented to each of the police officers by their respective Chiefs of Police, and the Director General of the Sureté du Québec.