Manitoba First Nations Police Service is encouraged to see Sandy Bay and Long Plain First Nations checkpoints as part of the COVID-19 measures being taken.

"And they set up checkpoints in the communities to make sure people aren't just coming in randomly with no real expectation of meeting people and things like that," says Inspector Dave Scott. "We're trying to get out to the people to limit any kind of travel and certainly take precautions. And that's what the community is doing as well."

He notes guards at the checkpoints at all times, and if anything out of the ordinary takes place, MFNPS officers are sent to the scene. Scott says all has been going quite well, with only a couple of incidents.

On March 29, 2020, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Manitoba First Nation Police Service Officers received a call from Long Plain First Nations Security Officers stating that a woman had just driven through the checkpoint, with a man whom they believed was not allowed on Long Plain First Nation.

Officers followed the vehicle to a residence and waited for other officers to arrive. Once Officers arrived, the woman and man exited the residence and Manitoba First Nation Police Service Officers served the man with a banning notice from Long Plain Chief and Council. Both parties immediately left the reserve with no further issues.

"Security is there all the time at the checkpoints," adds Scott. "Certainly, if anything does happen, the police will be called in to assist them. As it stands now, it's been working quite well. We've had a couple of instances, but our police members have assisted and helped them out. So, it's been going pretty good. I know they've implemented the curfews which is a good thing. We don't want people just wandering around aimlessly."

Scott explains the checkpoints consist of roadblocks so that people cannot cross the road. They have a security officer that will maintain it, or two security officers maintain it. He adds usually on their shifts, each member of their detachments attend the checkpoints, and they will check in with the security officers.

Also, on March 29, officers at Sandy Bay First Nation located, arrested and lodged two individuals for being intoxicated in a public place. Both individuals were released when sober the following day.