New Peacekeeper Highway Patrol Division

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) recently approved funding for the creation of a Highway Patrol Division of the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Peacekeepers and the creation of eight (8) new Peacekeeper positions for a period of five (5) years, effective April 1st. The total 5-year budget for the creation of a Highway Patrol Division is approximately $4,506,871.76. Funding for year one is the costliest due to training requirements and initial outfitting of the officers. Public Safety Portfolio lead Ryan Montour, on the new division:

“The Peacekeepers right now we’re at 36, as per the policeman’s agreement, we obviously the growing needs of the community, so we felt it was a worthwhile investment to beef up our presence on the streets of Kahnawa:ke. It’s going to help in a lot of different areas, not just with the speeding infractions but the enforcement aspect of it and a heavier presence and deterrence for other crime related matter.”

The approximately $1,059,406.59 price tag required for this 1st phase of the project will be transferred immediately, with the remaining annual budget transfers occurring at the beginning of each Fiscal Year, with Montour explaining the costs:

“It is very expensive to hire a Peacekeeper because we actually pay for partial pay for their training, we give them a little stipend to incentivize and help them get through training. They’re away for 6 months at RCMP recruit depot in Saskatchewan, so we do given them some funding while they’re in training. When they come back they have 6 months to get ride around to get experience with the Corporal assigned to them.”

The creation of the Highway Patrol Division was approved by the Peacekeepers Services Board in late 2023, and the recruitment and implementation plan will be carried out by the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Peacekeepers.