M’CHIGEENG—The UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service (UCCM APS) has taken the initial steps to have the service housed in a much larger building in one of the communities they currently serve.
“We are in the initial stages of looking at this,” said James Killeen, chief of police with the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service. “We have begun the process of developing a building plan, depending on funding (being provided) toward a new building.”
“We are still in the beginning phase,” said Police Chief Killeen. “We are at the breaking point as far as space in our present location (in M’Chigeeng). We are having to lease space in another office building across the street from this location and other communities that we serve. We’ve purchased a residence for officers, staff and guests to conduct training and courses while they are here,” he said, noting that Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) has a similar housing unit in place in the Wiikwemkoong community.
“With staff growth comes infrastructure growth. Right now, we have 25 officers and we are looking to increase this complement to 35-40 officers as we develop new units of the police force, like the drug crime unit.”
“We need a building space that is about five times what we have now,” stated Police Chief Killeen. “We are not looking at this as an immediate space need but for decades to come with the growth of policing and growth on the Island.”
“I’d love to build on in the building and area we are currently in, but there is no room,” said Police Chief Killeen. “There is a residence next to us, but we can’t add to the side or the top of the building, due to pre-existing issues. And we have no parking left, we are having to lease space next to the detachment office for parking and we are leasing a building for office space. Our only option is a brand-new building at another location.”
“I am the only person in the UCCM police detachment office that has my own office and hasn’t had to double up with other officers and staff. Some of the offices currently have three-four people in them,” continued Police Chief Killeen.
“Yes, we are hoping to take the next steps to having a new building as soon as possible, as we go through the red tape, tied to our funding,” said Police Chief Killeen.
“Unfortunately, this building and property leaves little space and no more room to expand,” said Police Chief Killeen. He said the space limitations are enough of a concern, “we bought a drug processing room to add on to the building. However, one of our officers recently was accidentally exposed to drugs and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. We eed a drug processing room. It just shows the need for mandatory rooms such as this.”
“In 2025 the UCCM APS will be 30 years old,” said Police Chief Killeen. “It started out in a store front in M’Chigeeng, then moved to another store front office, and then to this building. “We have outgrown this building space.”
