'Do not become hardened by the tragedy' Bothe
Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Mar 12/01) - RCMP fought back tears as they spoke of the man they called "Ziggy" and the impact his death has made on the entire force.
More than 500 people filled the Cadet Hall in Iqaluit last Thursday to remember Const. Jurgen Seewald.
"We as police officers can not let what happened change our spirits ...," RCMP chief superintendent Chris Bothe told the packed crowd.
"Do not become hardened by this tragedy."
Seewald was shot and later died March 5 while answering a domestic dispute call in Cape Dorset.
Seewald and another officer were in Cape Dorset when the incident occurred. The community has a four-person detachment but one officer was in Iqaluit on police business and the other was on leave.
The other officer who arrived on the scene after the shooting, brought Seewald to the health centre where he died a short time later.
"The officer who was in the community who responded to the shooting and found Seewald has been on an emotional roller coaster," said Staff Sgt. Michael Jeffrey, adding the officer's identity will not be released to avoid further upset.
"The officer is receiving emotional support at this time from specialists in that field therefore we want to give them time to deal with the situation."
Internal investigation
The RCMP is now studying the events that led up to the tragic incident.
"Chief superintendent Chris Bothe has ordered an internal administrative review that is looking at the polices and procedures involved in the decision making during the incident," said Jeffrey.
Cape Dorset also held a forum for support on March 7. The school gymnasium was packed with residents.
A panel of police officers and hamlet officials spoke and listened to comments from the community as some quietly sat crying.
One resident said it has been a long week for the community, and March 5 already seemed like a month ago.
Just a matter of time
Shortly before the shooting, some RCMP members spoke to News/North ("All night duty," Feb. 19) saying some communities and officers are in danger because members are working alone in detachments or with little backup.
Sgt. Tim Walton, V-division liaison between staff and management said then, "it's just a matter of time before something serious happens."
Const. Sylvie Jeannotte has been working alone in Resolute Bay for the past few weeks while her partner attended other RCMP obligations.
"I guess the time ran out and unfortunately somebody had to give up their life for it," she said. "It's a sad, sad thing."
