Research into an Implementation Framework for National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) in NL

On June 3, 2019, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) released its Final Report. Among its 231 recommendations, Calls for Justice 5.7 and 9.2(iii) urge the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to take specific steps to strengthen civilian oversight of police services by ensuring stronger Indigenous participation in police boards and other oversight authorities.
Frameworks for civilian oversight of police services exist in many Canadian and other common law jurisdictions. Yet the current framework in use in Newfoundland and Labrador is comparatively weak. The purpose of this study is to work with Indigenous community stakeholders in order to determine ways of strengthening civilian oversight of police services in the province. It will do so with a view toward reducing the prevalence of gender-based violence while also recognizing the province’s unique legal context and history. The study will seek to identify effective models and best practices that are already in use in other Canadian and common law jurisdictions, propose possible innovations and/or improvements upon such models and practices, and develop a set of detailed recommendations for implementing stronger civilian oversight of police services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Faculty Supervisor:

Constance MacIntosh;Naiomi Metallic

Student:

Rebecca Kirkwood

Partner:

First Light St. John’s Friendship Centre Inc.

Discipline:

Law

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

Dalhousie University