FALCONERS LLP PRESENTS AT LECA TRAINING – JUDGE SOFTLY AND TAKE THE TIME TO WALK A MILE IN THEIR MOCCASINS

On January 14 and 15, 2025, the Law Enforcement Complaint Agency (“LECA”), formerly known as the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (“OIPRD”), held a 2-day training session for various members of its organization, including investigators, front line staff, case coordinators, the Chief Operations Officer, and Complaints Director. The purpose of these training sessions was meant to enhance the cultural competence of LECA staff in their efforts to foster respectful relationships with Indigenous communities and complainants.

On Day #1, January 14, 2025, Julian Falconer of Falconers LLP presented on how LECA can prepare their staff to engage with Nishnawbe Aski Nation (“NAN”) complainants in a respectful, culturally sensitive manner. One of the goals of LECA is to earn the trust of the 34 First Nations that opted into the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 1, Sched. 1, as LECA can only be effective if the First Nations communities feel comfortable enough to file complaints alerting them to potential misconduct and engage in the investigation process.

LECA staff asked Julian to attend and present at their training as they were interested in hearing from a lawyer who has significant professional experience advocating for Indigenous individuals and communities negatively impacted by the police. As a core tenet of the presentation, Julian spoke about how LECA can set itself up for success by understanding the history of First Nations and facing the uncomfortable realities of so many First Nations traumas and learn what it means to ‘walk a mile in their moccasins’.

Julian specifically spoke about how Falconers LLP has the honour of representing and supporting NAN, Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, the then Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor, the Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario, and the various advocacy efforts, initiatives, inquests, and court matters for each. Julian drew from these experiences to discuss the realities and challenges of First Nations community safety and First Nations policing.

We are at the forefront of a new chapter for relations between First Nation communities and colonial policing, and it is important to ensure those at LECA, and those who will be communicating and interacting with First Nations directly, understand the history and complexities of First Nations history, their relationship with Canada, and what it means to be culturally responsive.

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