Meet Sgt. Tony Dunphy, who is currently the Sergeant in Charge of the Indigenous Policing Services team - Community Engagement, with the New Brunswick RCMP. As an Indigenous Police Officer with the RCMP, he is passionate about helping to change the culture of the organization. He has a clear objective of educating officers on Indigenous issues and the barriers Indigenous people face.
Beyond his regular duties, Sgt. Dunphy is a part of the J Division Indigenous Employee Advisory Committee, where he engages with Indigenous communities across the province, striving to develop the best policing models for Indigenous communities.
"In my role as the Sergeant in Charge of the Indigenous Policing Services team, I am fulfilled every day. I work towards professionally advancing initiatives that will ultimately reduce barriers and issues for the Indigenous peoples and the communities we serve," says Dunphy. "My main focus is to help repair the broken relationship between the RCMP and Indigenous communities. To help rebuild the trust that was lost through time, and educate RCMP members on the generational trauma faced by the Indigenous peoples every day. I have had an amazing career with the RCMP and I am striving to ensure that future generations of Indigenous peoples have a safe home and community."
Recently, Sgt. Dunphy participated in various drumming and cultural activities with the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation Wolastoqiyik Drumming group. Joining him was his daughter, Tiffany, and retired Sgt. Charles Dunphy, a former Sergeant in Charge with the Indigenous Policing Services team. Sgt. Dunphy and his two daughters, Tiffany and Shandy, also participated in the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Edmundston, N.B. The two of them drummed and chanted as part of the opening ceremony.
"I feel that it is important as a Wolastoqey RCMP officer to attend and participate in these events as it allows us to show our support and renew our culture. It helps to understand the issues affecting the Indigenous peoples and Indigenous communities and help to educate other RCMP members on these issues as well," says Sgt. Dunphy.
Thank you Sgt. Dunphy for your dedication to sharing your passion, and educating RCMP employees, and for your commitment to the communities you serve.