Peacekeepers launch major tech upgrade

The Kahnawake Peacekeepers are set to take another step forward in modernizing policing services, thanks to the approval of a nearly $500,000 funding allocation for advanced law enforcement technology.

At a recent Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) meeting attended by chief Peacekeeper Dwayne Zacharie, consensus was reached to authorize $492,977.72 in spending for the Smart Enforcement and Connectivity Modernization Initiative.

The funding will cover the purchase of the GTechna E-Ticketing system, virtual private network (VPN) infrastructure, CRPQ cybersecurity compliance, network adjustments, project management services, and Cyberkar mobile data terminals with vehicle retrofitting.

According to Montour, this is part of a much larger initiative designed to bring the Peacekeepers fully into the 21st century.

“The Mohawk Council’s $5 million Smart Enforcement and Connectivity Modernization Initiative, funded 52 percent by the federal government and 48 percent by the provincial government, is about efficiency, safety, and modernization,” said MCK portfolio chief Ryan Montour. “This is not about operations that belong to the Peacekeepers. Our role is administrative and financial, ensuring the tools are there for them to serve the community effectively.”

The modernization program is rooted in the 2019 policing agreement, which secured $5 million in funding until 2029. The Peacekeepers’ budget, drawn jointly from federal and provincial contributions, ensures that these upgrades do not directly impact community funds.

Montour emphasized that law enforcement technology has evolved quickly, and Kahnawake must keep pace.

“We were manually writing tickets not long ago. Now, with the e-ticketing system, officers will be able to process violations on the spot,” he explained. “Instead of thousands of paper letters, everything will be streamlined and connected. It reduces paperwork, increases accuracy, and ultimately improves service delivery.”

The modernization extends well beyond ticketing. Body cameras, enhanced connectivity, and the creation of a Highway Patrol Division are also part of the initiative.

“This is very important. For the first time, we’re authorizing Peacekeepers to use body cameras as part of an efficiency package we agreed to,” Montour said. “It’s about community safety, accountability, and evolving as a law enforcement agency. We cannot live in the 20th century; we must evolve into the 21st.”

Peacekeepers spokesperson Kyle Zachary highlighted the practical changes officers will see once the upgrades are fully rolled out.

“Right now, every traffic stop takes about 10 minutes because tickets are handwritten. With new equipment, e-ticketing, in-vehicle terminals, and automatic printers we can cut that time in half,” Zachary explained. “That means officers spend less time doing paperwork and more time on the road, available to respond to community needs.”

He added that the upgrades will also allow officers to access and update case files directly from their cruisers, rather than leaving the field to return to headquarters.

“This technology reduces downtime and maximizes efficiency,” said Zachary. “Everything in policing today is computer-driven, and these upgrades are a necessary step forward.”

The initiative is not limited to technology. Montour confirmed that several new Peacekeepers have recently graduated from training and joined the force, including two women and four men.

“We want the community to meet these new officers and to see the new Highway Patrol Division that has been created,” Montour said. “We’ll be hosting an unveiling event where people can ask questions, learn about the upgrades, and see firsthand how this investment improves safety for everyone.”

The Highway Patrol Division is expected to play a key role in traffic safety and enforcement, while also generating new revenue streams through ticketing and fines.

While the current approval covers a specific package of equipment and infrastructure, Zachary suggested this is only the beginning of a larger modernization process.

“Technology is always evolving. This upgrade will put us in a stronger position now, but it’s reasonable to expect future updates as systems change,” he said. “What’s important is that this gives us the tools to be more efficient, effective, and responsive today.”

For Montour, the initiative represents a balance between tradition and progress.

“Our Peacekeepers have always been committed to protecting this community,” he said. “What we’re doing now is giving them the tools they need to do it better, safer, and more efficiently. This is about keeping Kahnawake strong and secure.”

[email protected]