A new police station for Tsuut’ina gives officers a dedicated base for their growing police force.
Tsuut’ina Nation is a busy place, with plans in place for the ring road, a new commercial area, and now a new police station building. The size of the force has more than doubled from 11 to 24 officers plus support staff, and the converted house they were using as the old police station could no longer serve their needs. The band Chief remembers how much things have changed over the years.
“1969/1970 was the creation of our first tribal police force,” he said. “Back then we were only 400 people strong, it was much more easier for them to manage, and Calgary was somewhat off in the distance,” said Chief Roy Whitney, Tsuut’ina Nation.
The nation has grown a lot since then, and so has the force, bringing in new officers from other bands, city police and the RCMP. The Tsuut’ina Chief of Police says the band is dedicated to supporting it’s police force.
“I have never seen such support from leadership,” said Chief Keith Blake, Tsuut’ina Police Service. “Some people may not know this but they contribute more funding to our police service than the federal and provincial governments combined. That says a great deal to this community that our leadership wants a safe and secure community.”
The sod-turning happened on Tuesday, and the building will be ready for occupancy in November thanks to the modular-style construction. The band Chief hopes it is an inspiration for young people to support or even join the service.
“To our young people here, policing is a good thing, it is an opportunity for you to protect the interests and the long-range planning of our community,” he said.
Nation members will be polled to come up with a name for the new building, and the hope is that the next new building for the nation will be a fire station.
