Rankin Inlet (Aug 13/03) - They may not have buildings or cars, but the RCMP are now in every Kivalliq community full time.

As of July 27, both Chesterfield Inlet and Whale Cove have full-time RCMP officers stationed there.

"This is a real big deal for us. We now have an RCMP detachment in every community in Nunavut," said Chief Supt. John Henderson, commanding officer for RCMP V Division.

"We've been policing out of other communities, but to have members on the ground is very important."

The term detachment is being used figurately at the moment, the buildings are still under construction and aren't likely to be finished until spring.

However, an official opening ceremony will be held in the communities on Aug. 23-24.

Henderson said it is expected Premier Paul Okalik will attend.

Cpl. Chris Willis and Const. James Peck are the two members stationed in Whale Cove.

Both officers have previous Northern postings.

Willis was stationed in Iqaluit and Peck in Rankin Inlet.

So far Willis said the community has been very welcoming.

"It's been great, people are really friendly," he said.

The officers have been in Whale Cove for the past two months.

Currently they have been working out of the hamlet office and using a hamlet vehicle.

Their RCMP vehicle is not expected to arrive until September.

"The hamlet has been very accommodating," said Willis.

The two members, who will serve a standard two-year posting in Whale, serve a population of approximately 300.

Willis said he isn't sure what impact RCMP presence has had so far, but, he said, comments have been positive.

"I have heard that many issues of alcohol have dropped off since our presence," he said.

Cpl. Anne Hills and Const. Allan Nickerson started their posting in Chesterfield Inlet July 27.

Only in town for less than two weeks the members have been busy setting up.

"We're starting from scratch," she said.

They are also working out of the hamlet office and are using quads for patrol vehicles.

Hills said that method may get a little chilly, as their vehicle is not expected to arrive until the middle of October.