Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, November 21, 2007

REPULSE BAY - Senior students from Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay got a brief taste of what life in the workforce is all about earlier this month.

Tusarvik student Tara Kingayark dusts for fingerprints as Const. Tamara Patterson prepares to take notes during Take Your Kids to Work Day in Repulse Bay earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Maren Roberts

The students spent a day working at various jobs around the community as part of Tusarvik school's annual Take Your Kids to Work Day.

The youth worked at the hamlet, arena, Northern store, Naujat Co-op, health centre and RCMP detachment among others.

Tara Kringayark spent her day with the Repulse detachment of the RCMP.

Const. Tamara Patterson said they spent the morning on administrative duties such as photocopying and printing public notices to place around the community.

She said Kringayark was also given a tour of the detachment, including the process used when officers log a prisoner into the cell block.

"We showed her how our radio communication works with our dispatch in Iqaluit and with the portable we use here in Repulse," said Patterson.

"Const. Canning is a scenes-of-crime officer, so we showed Tara (Kringayark) how we would dust to lift a fingerprint from an item.

"I also showed her how we have to take effective notes on anything and everything when we're investigating a crime scene."

Patterson said Kringayark was very keen and enthusiastic student.

She said the teenager had a lot of questions and absorbed everything she was told.

"The day just flew past. She was here from 9 a.m. until I dropped her off at home about 5 p.m. So, we spent about eight hours together and she really, really enjoyed herself."

Patterson said she's a big supporter of community programs, especially those that deal with youth.

She said the RCMP is always trying to show the public it's here to help people and prevent crime.

"There's some youth who never get that positive exposure.

"The only exposure they've ever had to the police was on a negative level.

"That makes it really important for us to promote the positive aspects of police work.

"We're not always going to pick someone up and put them in jail."

Patterson said it's important for Kivalliq youth to see the police also do a lot of good by helping people and organizations whenever and however they can.

She said reaching out to youth in communities they serve is a top priority for the RCMP right now.

"We're really trying to reach the kids and show them the different sides to an effective police force.

"I've been involved with a number of these types of programs and I thoroughly enjoy participating in them.

"I'll take part in them any chance I get because they help make a difference in the relationship between police and the youth in their community."