Iqaluit RCMP ‘specifically targeting’ suspects in drug, firearm crimes
Acting detachment commander updates city council on recent seizures, staffing needs
Sgt. Vlatko Nikolovski of Iqaluit RCMP says the detachment is regularly short on staff, but frequently dealing with a high volume of calls. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Iqaluit RCMP are on a mission to “put the bad guys away” as officers continue crackdowns and seizures of illegal drugs and weapons.
That’s according to Sgt. Vlatko Nikolovski, the detachment’s acting commander, who provided the RCMP’s November and December monthly updates to city councillors this week.
“We’re going to be specifically targeting offenders that we know that are trafficking drugs or in possession of firearms,” Nikolovski said at Tuesday’s council meeting, adding that his officers are doing a “great job” gathering information on suspects.
“We use that information to write search warrants and get into those [residences], and take those guns and take the drugs and of course, put the bad guys away for as much as we can.”
He continued, “It’s not a secret that there is increased volume of drugs that are coming through the community, and we’ll do our best to encourage people to give us more information.”
Recently, Iqaluit RCMP announced two arrests after weapons and drugs were seized in a Jan. 24 search. Then on Feb. 4, two more firearms-related arrests were made after police stopped a vehicle in Iqaluit.
Coun. Kyle Sheppard thanked Nikolovski for the RCMP’s recent seizures and said it’s “concerning” how many illegal firearms are coming into the community.
“I just hope that you guys are safe and doing all you can to get those off our streets,” he said.
Nikolovski spoke of the RCMP’s current staffing and the number of calls officers respond to. That was after Deputy Mayor Kim Smith asked how the RCMP is enforcing traffic and motor vehicle-related laws.
“The detachment is running short, pretty much all the time,” Nikolovski said.
“The watches are short, considering people are leaving, sick, and helping different communities around the territory below the minimums with members. And that stretches with the call volume that they’re getting.”
For both November and December, Iqaluit RCMP had 26 constables, five corporals and one sergeant available, according to a written report provided to council.
The number of calls for service varies throughout the week, Nikolovski said.
Sundays and Mondays may bring in 10 to 15 calls for service over an entire day. Starting Tuesdays, there might be around 30 calls per shift, and on Friday and Saturday nights that number could increase to 40 calls.
“You have, depending on the day shift or night shift, four or five members responding to those calls,” Nikolovski said.
“It makes it a little bit more difficult for members to do proactive work, to focus more on the Traffic Safety Act, when you have criminal offences occurring and those are taking priorities over the traffic safety offences.”
November was Iqaluit RCMP’s busiest month of the year as officers responded to 1,339 calls for service, according to the written report.
December was the least busy busiest month, with 860 calls.
City if Iqaluit have by-law, why don’t they do traffic stuff
On paper RCMP are resourced to do traffic with out support from bylaw. In practice bylaw does almost all of the traffic.
The city is covering for a lack of support to the RCMP. Higher levels of government need to step up.
RCMP have the same problem that the medical profession does, and that it is hard to convince people to uproot their lives to move here. Many officers down south that have worked in the north tell others how difficult it is and how the police are viewed and treated in the north, and that is not encouraging if you have a shortage in the north.
My thanks to the Iqaluit RCMP. You have a very difficult job, and I want you to know that this member of the community supports the work you are doing. Thank you.
Isnt targeting breakers of the law kind of their job?…
I wonder why there are half as many calls on Sunday and Monday, and why the numbers were so low in December. Could it be because the beer and wine store is closed on Sundays and Mondays and because of the GN holiday closure in December? That couldn’t possibly be the case. I distinctly remember local government saying the beer and wine store has a positive impact on the community…
Most places have fewer calls on Sunday and Monday. And half the city’s population is gone in December.
Nice try, but beer still isn’t the cause of all our problems.
I have lived here in Iqaluit all my life.
Ever since the Beer & -Wine store has opened, as a life time local, I do not see any benefit from it other than more revenue for the GN.
Crime, violence has gone up ever since it opened.
Boot legging has gone up, before the B&W opened there was only $200 bottles, now for $30 one can get drunk.
Get drunk more frequently, also once John Doe runs out of beer going to the boot leggers.
Sunday & Mondays B&W is close, it’s open rest of the week, numbers do not lie.
When the B&W is open more calls “Fact”.
The only good thing that ever came out of B&W is more revenue for the GN.
Everyone sitting at home trying to have a say on what is going on around d Iqaluit, please stop.
I am homeless and out and about more then most of the general public, and I do say since the opening of B&W there is more negative impact around my home town.
“I distinctly remember local government saying the beer and wine store has a positive impact on the community.”
I doubt this ever happened. But nice narrative piece, you should think about a career in journalism.
That is some detective work. It is literally a headline from November 2020. “Beer and wine store has had positive impact, Iqaluit’s mayor says as GN eyes two more Nunavut locations”. I have tried twice to post a comment with the link, and it was in the original comment, but for some reason, Nunatsiaq won’t post it.
Wait, know who’s in possession of firearms? What are they waiting for?
Now they are saying these things. I hope you guys will be more check up on you guys how your work is doing. Now you make excuses on shortage of staff. Pretenders!
How about you apply to become an RCMP, complete the training, then come back to Iqaluit to work on patrol…
If there is an investigation, there would be so many they miss will be shown. Careless and lazy people will be lots. That is what you say all the time and refusing to help. And tell them not to use the criminal record if you tell me to try training. You tell them that. In each community there should be investigation and see the results.
Based only on this one council apperance, I think Sgt. Nikolovski bring a great attitude to policing. He comes across transparent, honest, and focused on the most pressing/damaging crimes. Wearing rifle mags to a City Council meeting certainly sets a tone.
I also agree with Councilor Smith, it is important that the detachment is resourced for the more proactive community policing (include traffic, liquor, and petty crimes). Both are critical functions for our community.
He was the Sargent in Baker Lake and Arviat, he did a phenomenal job at community policing and has a commitment to the North!! Great job Vlad!!
I agree with you.
Alas…alot of Inuit applicants can not pass basic entrance exams because of low education, low attendance, high drop out rates,etc.
Inuit have to get some kind of ambition -lukki rather than constantly demanding,,…”gimme, gimme, gimme. Oh the Oppression”😭😭😢☹️😫😫