Remains of police chief believed to be found after house fire: Manitoba First Nations Police Service

Human remains believed to be those of the chief of the Manitoba First Nations Police Service were found following a fire at a home in the rural municipality of Portage la Prairie on Wednesday, the police service says.

RCMP say they got a report of a house fire north of High Bluff, northeast of the city of Portage la Prairie, just before 5 a.m. Wednesday.

When the fire was put out, investigators discovered human remains in the home. 

RCMP said the identity of the person found had yet to be confirmed, but that the home belonged to Doug Palson, the chief of the Manitoba First Nations Police Service.

The First Nations Police Service said it's believed the remains were Palson's.

"Although the investigation is ongoing, we believe that Chief Palson was the victim of this tragic incident," said a news release from the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Police Commission, which is the civilian governance body for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service.

"Chief Palson was a passionate leader who loved our police service and its members who serve our 10 First Nation communities with pride and respect," commission chair Sherri Thomas said in the release.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Chief Palson's family as they deal with this tragedy."

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Assembly of First Nations Manitoba called the incident a tragedy and a profound loss. 

"Chief Palson's passion for justice, his leadership, and his love for the people he served will never be forgotten," said AMC acting Grand Chief Betsy Kennedy.

Regional Chief Willie Moore of AFN Manitoba echoed similar sentiments, saying Chief Palson's "dedication to protecting and supporting our First Nations will leave a lasting legacy."

The Manitoba First Nations Police Service is working with the RCMP and the Office of the Fire Commissioner to investigate the fire, the release said.