Justice and Public Safety, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Published purpose

The project aims to enhance community-based policing principles and the working relationship between the communities and the RCMP. Currently, the program provides the communities with an additional mechanism to enhance community safety and engage in crime prevention initiatives at the local level. The positions can also support the local RCMP detachments by addressing low-risk responses to community concerns, including incidents stemming from social issues, such as, addictions and mental health. Being members of the local Indigenous community, CSOs can act as a liaison between the local community members and the RCMP to ensure police response considers cultural considerations and language barriers. The role of the CSO is not intended to be utilized as a replacement for core policing functions; rather, it is an extension of NL and Nunatsiavut government's commitment to safer communities.