Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services Receives Funding to Combat Firearms Trafficking

By Kaniehtonkie. Updated.

The province of Quebec announced a commitment of $6.2 million to the Akwesasne Mohawk Police (AMPS) in an asserted and joint effort to curb international firearms trafficking. Three Quebec officials jointly made the announcement with Chief of Police Shawn Dulude: Public Safety Minister Geneviève Guilbault, Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière, and the NMA for Huntingdon, Claire Isabelle at the St. Regis Recreation Center in Kanatakon on Thursday, June 9, 2022.

AMPS has made several arrests and seizures working collaboratively with the Cornwall Police Service, OPP, RCMP and SQ. Dulude stated AMPS has already seized 132 illegal firearms since October.

Guilbault, who is also deputy premier of Quebec, said the funding is "an important gesture to highlight the contribution of Indigenous police forces, including the Akwesasne police, in the fight against crime and organized crime."

The extra funding will provide AMPS with five additional officers, a new boat, all-terrain vehicles and new snowmobiles. AMPS already conducts water patrols and with this funding, AMPS will have 24/7 presence on the water.

Speaking on the complex geographical location of Akwesasne, Dulude said, "At what point are you in the United States? At what point are you in Canada? There are no other borders, even though you went from Akwesasne United States to Akwesasne on the Canadian portion," said Chief Shawn Dulude in a press conference Thursday.

"Our officers know where those limits are, and the criminals know as well."

Lafrenière said, "The money will make the surrounding region safer, by helping stem the influx of illegal guns from the U.S. but will also make Akwesasne itself safer."

Grand Chief Abram Benedict said, "Additional funding can better equip our police department with the resources need to continue to protect Akwesasne from being exploited by outside entities. Our community does not support gun violence and we support our police in their efforts to keep weapons out of our territory."

Dulude added, "Today's announcement demonstrated the Government of Quebec desire to support First Nations by funding the material and human resources of Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service. Our team will be able to work to increase public security on the territory."

The press conference was presented predominantly in French, only speaking in English when a question-and-answer period was opened to the press. Dulude addressed this later, saying AMPS will follow their own protocol when it comes to hiring officers – overriding Québec's French language laws.