Maria Canton
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Jan 10/00) - The second RCMP recruitment drive is under way in Nunavut.

More than 35 applications have been received at the "V" Division recruitment office in Iqaluit and the process isn't expected to wrap up for at least two more weeks.

"On Jan. 24 candidates from the settlements will be flown in for testing," said Const. Kevin Craig, who is helping to process the information involved in recruiting potential officers.

"We started actively recruiting about two weeks ago by first advising the detachments in the settlements that we are looking for candidates to join the force."

The testing process takes a week to complete and involves a three-hour written exam and several physical exams.

The successful candidates are then sent as a troop to the RCMP training academy in Regina, Sask.

There are currently two recruits from Nunavut completing the 22-week training program in Regina and will be finished on March 6 and March 27.

Late last year, six Nunavut cadets in the first all-Inuit troop, graduated from the academy and are now in the midst of their six-month field training at the detachments in Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Iqaluit and Arviat.

"Some of the cadets from the last troop won awards for marksmanship and one won the Minto Cup, which is a competition between the all of cadets in shooting," said Craig.

After the 22 week training process, the cadets undergo a staffing interview, part of which includes where the future constable would like to be posted in Canada.

Inuit, however, are required to stay in Nunavut for four years after they complete their training and begin working, as outlined in the Lands Claim Agreement.

Of the applications received, several are from women who are interested in joining the force and although Craig says they don't do anything special to encourage women to join, they would like to see more come out.

Both Craig and Cpl. Lew Philip, who is ultimately in charge of recruiting in Nunavut, agree that personality, background and life experiences are qualities they look for when recruiting.

Nationally, the RCMP is looking to recruit between 4,000 and 5,000 cadets this year and Craig says the "V" Division takes candidates year-round.