From left to right: Insp. Bates, Mrs. Suenita Maharaj-Sandhu, A/Comm. Bill Robinson, Mr. Kaval Chohan, Ms. Wanda Yamamoto, Ms. Shahina Siddiqui, Dr. Michael Eze, Minister Andrew Swan, Cpl. David Ogungbemi
Today, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) “D” Division announces another step forward in strengthening and promoting positive relations between the RCMP and visible minorities in the province of Manitoba.
Assistant Commissioner Bill Robinson, Commanding Officer of RCMP “D” Division, has assigned one member of the Contract and Aboriginal Policing unit to the newly created position of Cultural Diversity Officer. This full-time position will be a one year assignment dedicated to working closely with members of visible minority communities served by the RCMP throughout Manitoba.
Corporal David Ogungbemi, an RCMP member with 17 years of service, will assume his new role as the RCMP liaison officer for visible minority groups. Based at “D” Division headquarters in Winnipeg, Cpl. Ogungbemi will travel to rural and urban Manitoba communities served by the RCMP to hear the concerns and suggestions of visible minority community members and service providers, and to work closely with them to improve police services.
“Manitoba is a culturally diverse province and while the RCMP is a diverse organization, we are always looking for ways to reach out to visible minority groups,” said A/Commr. Bill Robinson. “We are committed to working collaboratively in addressing what’s important to them, and to being more effective in providing policing services.”
He will also research, analyze and identify public safety gaps within visible minority communities to prevent and reduce crime and victimization. Cpl. Ogungbemi will be actively promoting cultural awareness among community members, as well as cultural competency among “D” Division RCMP members, through workshops, presentations and training sessions.
Cpl. Ogungbemi will also sit on the Commanding Officer’s Advisory Committee on Cultural Diversity (COACCD), composed of volunteer members of visible minority communities. “D” Division’s newly established Cultural Diversity Officer position stems from a recommendation put forth by members of this advisory committee, in view of the trend of increasing immigration to Manitoba.
“The changing face of Manitoba requires that our public services and especially our law enforcement agencies represent this diversity” said COACCD member Shahina Siddiqui. “Through this appointment of a cultural diversity officer, we hope to increase awareness and interest within our communities to first feel secure that their voices are being heard and second to inspire our youth to see the RCMP as a viable career choice.”
The new Cultural Diversity Officer position follows last year’s assignment of two RCMP members as communications liaisons in the offices of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Manitoba Metis Federation. These assignments have strengthened relations and communications between the RCMP and First Nation and Metis communities.
