The force will be with them

KIRSTEN MURPHY

Chesterfield Inlet and Whale Cove will be the last Nunavut communities to get full-time RCMP service once a $2-million request is written into the Government of Nunavut’s 2003-04 budget.

Justice Minister Paul Okalik hopes cabinet approves the funds, which will cover start-up costs and pay the salaries of four officers: two for each community. The amount is an estimate and subject to change after debate.

Right now, Rankin Inlet RCMP officers patrol the two Kivalliq communities in two ways: routine day-long fly-in patrols once every six weeks, and on an emergency on-call basis.

Rankin Inlet Sgt. Tom Kasdorf said his officers respond to fewer than 10 calls a year between the two hamlets.

Nevertheless, the added responsibility of overseeing extra communities is a duty he’s glad to pass on.

“Even if it’s only three calls a year, depending where my resources are at the time it can be a [big deal]. It can be a drain because we’re usually shorthanded here anyways,” Kasdorf said.

Residents of the two communities have wanted on-site police service for years.

“The community may be small, but we’re facing the same problems like the bigger ones with alcohol,” said Imelda Angootealuk, Whale Cove’s senior administrative officer. Angootealuk has lobbied for on-site officers for at least three years.

She said crimes in Whale Cove are typically drug- and alcohol-related. Angootealuk does not doubt, though, that crimes are occurring even if they’re not being reported.

“There may be some violence in homes that we didn’t know about and maybe will be reported now,” she said.

Kasdorf agreed. “If a person knows the officer they may feel more comfortable disclosing [a crime] where they wouldn’t be comfortable in the situation we have now. There is a reluctance for people to report something if they don’t know the police,” he said.

After relying on outside assistance for years, Grise Fiord and Repulse Bay opened RCMP detachments in June this year.

Comparatively low crime rates in the small hamlets means officers have more time to introduce proactive police initiatives.

“The reception has been very favourable. You’re more than an officer here, you’re part of the community. I’ve worked in many detachments, but this community is particularly welcoming,” said Grise Fiord Cpl. Pierre Rivet.

Okalik made the following statement about new detachments in the legislative assembly in early October:

“[Chesterfield Inlet and Whale Cove] are the only two communities in Nunavut which do not have full RCMP services. We will be including funding in our 2003-04 budget for the establishment of two additional detachments so [the communities] will have full RCMP services next year.”

The federal government will pick up the multimillion-dollar price tag to build and equip the new detachments.