AKWESASNE – The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service has officially named Sgt. Lee-Ann Beaudry its deputy police chief.
Beaudry was officially named to the position this month and marks the first woman to hold the position in the AMPS’ 48 year history.
She was also the first female sergeant in 2015 and one of the few high-ranking Aboriginal female officers in Canada, the department said.
Beaudry has been with the force for 13 years. She also served as acting chief between March and August 2017 during the transition between police chiefs.
Police Chief Shawn Dulude hopes the promotion will help attract other women to the force, which is “far below” the national average for women wearing the badge.
There are three policewomen on the AMPS force of 33.
AMPS also named Ranatiiostha Swamp as a staff sergeant overseeing patrol sergeants, the SAVE team (Snow-Vehicle, All-Terrain Vehicle and Vessel Enforcement) and other support units.