Iqaluit (Aug 07/06) - Despite the long history of the Mounties in the North, the RCMP is facing a coming staff crunch in Nunavut.

In fact, the 2005 RCMP annual report highlights recruiting as "the most critical issue facing the RCMP, not only in Nunavut, but nationally."

RCMP recruiting officer Const. Sylvia Sharp works at her desk in Iqaluit. She will travel across Nunavut over the coming year in an effort to drum up new recruits for the force. - Chris Windeyer/NNSL photo The RCMP in Nunavut: 111 regular members 25 detachments 12 civilian members six public service employees seven regular members and one civilian member working on federal services like major crimes, anti-drug measures and counterterrorism Nunavut's 'V' Division covers 1.9 million square km and nearly 163,000 km of coastline. - Source: RCMP 'V' Division

While the RCMP's 25 Nunavut detachments are fully staffed for now, recruiting officer Const. Sylvia Sharp said retirements and promotions will put pressure on the force to keep front line positions filled.

She needs to recruit 10 new officers this year, but hopes to exceed that target, she said. She plans to visit communities across the territory to find these new recruits.

"Recruiting people is actually a huge challenge," she said. "I know it will make a difference if I go into the communities and talk to the people."

Nunavut's new commanding RCMP officer Supt. Marty Cheliak said he'd like to see more Inuit working for the RCMP, either as front line police or in civilian roles.

"The whole goal is to have more Nunavummiut participating in policing and using the RCMP as a good career option," he said.

"And we are a good career option, we just have to get out there and sell ourselves a little better to the communities."

So who makes a good Mountie?

Sharp said she is looking for Canadian citizens of "good character" with a high school diploma or equivalent education and an unrestricted drivers licence.

From there recruits will travel to Iqaluit for a fitness test, interview and a polygraph, better known as the lie-detector test. That's just to make sure recruits are honest, Sharp said.

Originally from Rankin Inlet, she said she wanted to join the RCMP from age 12, adding it's important for Northerners to be served by Northerners.

"We know the land, we know the culture and anyone who's lived up North knows the challenges we face."