Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, January 16, 2008

RANKIN INLET - There's a new man in charge at the Rankin Inlet detachment of the RCMP.

Sgt. Peter Pilgrim comes to Rankin as part of his second tour of duty in the North, having just completed a 15-month stay in Taloyoak.

Sgt. Peter Pilgrim hopes to be in charge of the Rankin Inlet detachment of the RCMP for the next two years. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The sergeant has also spent time in Baker Lake and Hall Beach.

Pilgrim has been in Rankin for the past two months with his wife, Theresa.

He said he asked to come to Rankin and hopes to be in the community for the next two years.

"I heard a lot of good things about Rankin from sergeants who had been here previously, and when the opportunity to come presented itself I jumped at it," said Pilgrim.

"Most of the Northern communities I've been in are a lot smaller than Rankin, so the first few weeks on the job here were a big adjustment for me.

"It was almost like I'd moved back to a city."

Pilgrim said he finds the people of Rankin to be friendly, and the community has more than enough amenities for him and his wife.

He said he's lucky to have come to a good town with a solid police detachment.

"I don't see any big challenges facing the detachment during the next two years, but we are expecting to lose a couple of long-serving members this year who will be hard to replace.

"Our human-resource battle is always ongoing."

Pilgrim said he hopes to continue the excellent working relationship that his predecessor enjoyed with hamlet council.

He said a good relationship with council makes his job a lot easier.

"Working effectively with hamlet council is the top of the food chain in the community and, so far, the mayor and councillors have welcomed me with open arms.

"The detachment will continue what Gavin (Sgt. Gavin Nash) and council started, in regards to keeping our roads safe by cracking down on impaired drivers.

"We're also going to continue working hard to lower the use of drugs and eliminate the bootleggers."

Although his playing days are behind him, Pilgrim should have little difficulty fitting into the hockey-crazed atmosphere of Rankin.

He said while he enjoys watching hockey in general, he's a true fan of the blue and white.

"As much as I grumble at times, I'm a true Toronto Maple Leafs fan.

"I live and die with every move the Leafs make."