by Cheryl Leschasin
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 27/97) - The Law Enforcement Advocacy Program -- LEAP -- an advocacy group for people having communication difficulties with law enforcement agencies, is ready to move into full swing.

Pam Meuwissen started LEAP in January 1996 after finding she was dissatisfied with the way police were handling complaints.

"I didn't find the police easy to deal with before, but now I find they are very co-operative," said Meuwissen, adding that most complaints arise from simple misunderstandings on either side.

The organization has grown from a single advocate to a team of five in 18 months.

Law enforcement agencies that LEAP works with include the RCMP, the GNWT Department of Justice, the federal Department of Justice and municipal law enforcement.

Currently LEAP members advocate by attending monthly community policing forums to bring up public concerns.

The group would like to further assist people with individual complaints, but lacks enough volunteers.

"We'd like to get more people to volunteer to handle individual complaints," said Meuwissen.

The group is also looking for volunteers to act on the board, attend community policing forums and handle other non-advocacy related activities.

LEAP is a unique organization. When Meuwissen started it up last year, the only program she could find to base it on was a Californian program.

The groups aim to help out in conflict resolution. "We're not here for police-bashing, but to help," said board director Kevin Laframboise.