Regina police wearing orange in support of Truth and Reconciliation

If you’re walking the streets of Regina today, chances are you’ll see lots of people wearing orange in support of Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Officers with the Regina Police Service will also be wearing orange on their uniforms.

While police officers wore orange pins last year, this year the police service wanted to do something a little different. For 2022, they’ll be wearing the orange pin along with orange epaulets.

Chief Evan Bray said he wanted officers to stand out more, and show their support for reconciliation while on duty.

“When you think about the national holiday, orange shirts are something that they wear. For uniformed police officers, that’s not something that’s not easy to do. We thought this would be a new and unique way that we can do it,” he explained.

“It’s quite visible and striking,” Bray added.

Saskatchewan is home to one of the largest Indigenous populations in Canada, and Bray said this year they’re continuing to work with those communities and strengthen those relationships.

“The Indigenous community in Regina is significant,” Bray stated.

“Truth and Reconciliation is a call to all Canadians, and is an opportunity for all Canadians to better understand and to better change behaviour and actions in a way that’s inclusive, that recognizes the challenges and wrongdoings of the past, and commits to positive steps forward.

“Police often intersect within the Indigenous community on a regular basis,” Bray added. “I think it’s even more important for us to show commitment to the TRC calls to action and show that we’re progressively working to be better at all times.”

Bray said strengthening the relationship between the Indigenous community and the police is one of his highest priorities.

The Regina Police Service is observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We will take time today to acknowledge, to listen, to learn and to reflect. #NDTR2022 #EveryChildMatters pic.twitter.com/lzw9jE6t9V

— Regina Police (@reginapolice) September 30, 2022