Sask. First Nation appoints former Saskatoon and Prince Albert police chief as new community safety lead

A northern Saskatchewan First Nation has hired Saskatoon's retired police chief Troy Cooper to help get a handle on rising violence.

Cooper has been appointed the new community safety lead of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. He will work to help confront gangs, violence and drugs by helping with the creation of a new community safety plan.

In October, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation declared a state of emergency because of the spike in violence. Non-urgent health care was shut down at the local clinic in Pelican Narrows, one of the First Nation's communities, earlier this month because staff said they were too busy dealing with emergencies.

"We're seeing an escalation of violent crimes committed in the community. The gang-related violence, the substance abuse, it's much higher now," Chief of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Karen Bird said in an interview.

Bird said that she has a vision for safety and wellness for the community, and hopes Cooper can make that vision a reality.

"We're confident that Troy's leadership will significantly enhance our community safety. His experience and approach are exactly what we need," she said.

In his new role, Cooper will counsel the First Nation's chief and council, community members and management team on safety issues. He will also oversee community safety engagement, develop a community-based interagency model and establish safety plans.

"First of all, learning about the community needs and the current state,"Cooper said in an interview about his new job. "We've just come through a state of local emergency, and so the first thing we have to do is address that, make sure people are safe and that they feel safe, and then keep an eye on the longer-term strategy,"

He said the long-term strategy will include using tools like Indigenous community safety planning, an initiative by Public Safety Canada.

"Dealing with what's in front of us, of course, [and] making sure people are healthy and not just physically healthy, but also the emotional health of the mental health of the staff that are providing those services," he said.

Cooper has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience. He rose through the ranks with the Prince Albert Police Service to become police chief for six years. He then spent six years as the Saskatoon Police Service's chief before retiring in December 2023.

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Karen Bird said the First Nation is optimistic that Cooper's strategic approach to law enforcement and community engagement will be crucial in not only addressing its current safety challenges, but also in improving the overall security of its communities.

"His extensive policing background provides the insights and expertise we need to navigate our community toward a safer, more secure future," Bird said.