Chapman sought career change to assist community

NAPS graduates six in recent ceremony
Charles Chapman is one of the newest members of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service.
He, alongside five other constables, officially joined NAPS during a badge ceremony Aug. 13 in Thunder Bay.
“I put a lot of thought into this career choice,” Chapman, 43, said in a phone interview from his post in Sachigo Lake First Nation. “This is my community. I wanted to assist my community by helping as a protector.”
Prior to joining NAPS, Chapman had worked in carpentry and also as a school bus driver in the community.
“I had been doing other jobs for a while,” he said. “I thought I could help more … by becoming an officer. It’s a great career.”
While he is still settling into the position of fourth-class constable, having been on the job about a month, he’s already responded to a variety of incidents.
“Working in my home community is a huge responsibility but I will do the best I can,” Chapman said.
Knowing the community members and being fluent in Oji-Cree will help, he said.
“I hope to be a good role model to the youth of the community,” Chapman said.
So far, Chapman feels quite welcome in his position.
“I meant a lot to me that my Chief Titus Tait came to the badge ceremony,” Chapman said.
The other five NAPS graduates include Troy Larose, who is working in Moose Cree First Nation, Justin Harasyn, who is serving in Fort Severn, Shawn Stavlic, who is also working in Fort Severn, Jonathan Dempster, who is serving in Attawapiskat, and Matthew Wrigley, who is policing in Fort Albany.
NAPS provides policing to 35 Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities.