Iqaluit (Feb 19/03) - The addition of two RCMP detachments -- opening this April in Whale Cove and Chesterfield Inlet -- will mean total coverage of Nunavut.

"We feel it's great. It provides a timely service to the community, who have for a long time now been requesting a constant police presence in their community," says RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike Jeffrey.

This brings the total number of detachments to 25.

No word yet on who will be stationed in the two Kivalliq locations, but there will be two police officers in each, Jeffrey says.

Work is progressing now to build homes for the new constables and their families, Jeffrey says.

The detachment offices will come later, including holding cells for prisoners.

In the meantime, the Mounties will use office space provided by the hamlet, Jeffrey says. As for a "jail," the RCMP will continue to use a "patrol cabin" already there -- a 10 by 16-square-foot heated shack that visiting police would use to stage operations in the community, Jeffrey says.

"It's sufficient so a person can't break out," Jeffrey says. It would be guarded 24/7 when in use.

In the past, the RCMP counted on "community constables" to police the town.

"They had limited authority to keep the peace and had limited tools (i.e. they weren't armed)," Jeffrey says.

"They pretty much kept the peace and kept their eyes open for emergencies requiring a member of the RCMP to fly in."

Along with two members there will be a relief cop to maintain a two-person community presence when one officer is away on vacation time, training or escorting prisoners.

Police aren't there just to make misbehaving people familiar with Her Majesty's hotel.

"They are also expected to provide leadership in the community," Jeffrey says.

"It's important that police understand their community and participate in its activities, including going out on the land to fish or hunt."