Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (Sep 07/98) - A former RCMP community constable with 25 years service in Arviat sees the Nunavut Policing Agreement signed last week in Rankin Inlet as an opportunity to create new initiatives that will improve relations between police and Northern residents.

"I'm very pleased with the agreement...it signifies change, a way to bridge the gap," said Johnny Karetak, who now lives in Rankin Inlet.

Interim Commissioner Jack Anawak, who was on hand for the signing with RCMP Commissioner Phil Murray and Attorney General Andy Scott, said the new agreement provides an opportunity to provide a more culturally-sensitive police service.

"There has been times in the past when the relations between the community and the police haven't been the best...," he said. "...this is the start of something new."

One of the first of some 200 inter-governmental agreements expected for the creation of the new territory, the Nunavut Policing Agreement provides for a new divisional headquarters in Iqaluit known as "V" division, as well as 112 RCMP members (six Inuit) in 22 detachments. Under the agreement, the federal government will fund 30 per cent while the Nunavut government will cover the remaining 70 per cent. The new division's commanding officer is superintendent Chris Bothe.

Attorney General Andy Scott declared the signing an historical event for the country.

"We are creating a new RCMP division in a new territory," he said. "The RCMP is the police service of choice for the people of Nunavut and the RCMP wants to take this opportunity to break new ground in policing with Inuit people."

Commissioner Murray concurred saying that the new agreement is an opportunity to redefine the RCMP service in Nunavut.