AMPS Station

The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service was formed in 1970. The St. Regis Band Council passed a Resolution creating the St.Regis Akwesasne Police. The police headquarters was located in the village of St.Regis, Quebec.

The St.Regis Police started with a complement of 12 officers in 1970-1971. The formation of St.Regis Police was created to provide policing needs for the community and to replace the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

In April of 1972, the first Chief of Police was appointed for St. Regis Police. 12 officers, along with 4 Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers, started working jointly to serve and protect the Community of Akwesasne. The officers were appointed as peace officers within the Territory of Akwesasne by the RCMP. This enabled the officers to enforce Band Council By-laws and any Criminal Code offences. The primary community offences in the 1970s included mischief, assault, break-and-enter, domestic/family violence, harassment, public intoxication, speeding, and unwanted persons.

In 1973 the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) began to accept the Akwesasne Police officers into their Basic Training Facility located in Toronto, Ontario. The Akwesasne Police Officers were required to attend the Ontario Police College (OPC) and successfully pass the 12-week Policing program.

In 1980 the St.Regis Police had a complement of 12 officers and became part of the First Nations Policing Program with the Ontario Provincial Police.

In 1986 the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (formerly the St.Regis Band Council) renamed the St.Regis Police to the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service.

In 1991 the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service became a stand-alone First Nation Police Service. Today, nine (9) stand-alone Indigenous Police Services are in Ontario, including AMPS.

The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service provides policing Services to approximately 13,000 residences in the Territory of Akwesasne. The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service enforces criminal and provincial offences in Ontario and Quebec, as well as community laws and by-laws.

In 2023, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service has a complement of 42 officers, and 18 civilian members.

Shoulder Patch History

The design of the patch of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police refers to a number of different concepts.

The white squares are taken from the Hiawatha Belt, signifying different people united for Peace.

The tree signifies the Laws of those people and because the Tree (Pine) remains green all year, it shows that those laws will always be.

The white Roots shows that people from all directions may trace them to the Tree and take shelter under the Tree, so that they may have peace in their hearts and minds.

The Eagle at the top warns the people of approaching dangers.  He is the guardian of the Peace because he is a messenger of the Creator.  He shows that the Creator believes this Unity for Peace is good.  The Eagle has the responsibility of guarding this.

The role and responsibility of the Police is to ensure that the Laws of Peace and Justice prevail among human beings.