Community Justice

The Community Justice Division helps communities to develop alternative ways of dealing with justice issues. These alternatives meet the special needs of each place and provide for safer, healthier communities. The Division is committed to:

  • providing alternatives to the formal justice system;
  • promoting a greater understanding of victim, offender and community needs; and
  • providing a forum for crime prevention.

Victim Services programs and Community Justice Committees operate with the support of community-based organizations and local volunteers. The Division provides training, resources and support to both programs. There are currently Victim Services programs in 11 different communities in the NWT. Victim Services provide assistance, information, referrals and support to victims of crime and tragedy. There are established Community Justice Committees in 32 NWT communities. CJCs are responsible for holding diversion hearings for matters diverted away from the traditional court setting and handling matters in a community-based setting. Community Justice Committees and Victim Services programs often work together to provide innovative services to the communities.

The Division, in partnership with the National Crime Prevention Centre, is halfway through the “FASD and Justice Issues at the Community Level in the NWT” project. The project began in February 2007 and since then the Coordinator has:

  • traveled to nine NWT communities and four communities outside of the NWT,
  • conducted more than 42 presentations and workshops on FASD, and
  • made contact with over 1300 people during this time.

Some of the stakeholders that have benefitted from the project to date are: Corrections workers; disability advocates; students and teachers; RCMP members; clients in custody; legal and paralegal professionals; Victim Services workers and Community Justice Committee members.

Policing in the Northwest Territories has evolved over the years to be more inclusive of community interests, adapting to allow the people of the NWT to have a voice in the policing of their communities. The RCMP works closely with the GNWT and the communities to ensure that the policing priorities of the NWT and its people are being addressed. In the small communities across the territory, the Force recognizes the importance of community involvement and in fostering strong partnerships working towards mutual problem solving for community concerns. The RCMP in the NWT is committed to the Strategic Priority of Safe Homes and Safe Communities. Community Policing is key to these partnerships and the RCMP has instituted a program called Annual Performance Plans which allows interaction with various community groups to identify community problems and work together at creating solutions.

For more information on Community Justice programs and initiatives, please contact:

Communications Advisor
(867) 920-6418

Last updated: January 2009