LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - The recent arrival of two additional constables has brought the Fort Simpson RCMP detachment up to full strength.

Const. Jesse Gilbert started work in Fort Simpson on July 7 while Const. Glen Cameron had his first day on the job on Aug. 3. The detachment now has eight officers.

The arrival of Const. Glen Cameron, left, and Const. Jesse Gilbert means the Fort Simpson RCMP detachment has a full complement of police officers. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Sgt. Ron Prangnell, the detachment commander, said this is the first time the detachment has had a full complement since he arrived early this year. Having eight officers means that two can be on duty every shift so officer safety issues are met, he said.

As well, with more hands available, the work is spread out more evenly and the police can get involved in community programs, he added.

Prangnell plans to have officers run the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program in local schools and become involved in groups like the community justice committee.

The two new constables said they are looking forward to serving in the village and surrounding area.

Fort Simpson is the third Northern posting for Gilbert. Originally from Digby, N.S., he started his career with the RCMP in Hay River, where he was posted for a year and a half before spending the past three years in Tulita.

Gilbert requested Northern postings because his wife is from Iqaluit and they wanted to spend time in the North. Gilbert said he enjoys the variety that serving in the North brings.

"You get to experience everything here," he said.

Coming to Fort Simpson has been a welcome change compared to the isolation of Tulita, said Gilbert.

"Just having a road system and restaurants is more than seventh heaven," he said.

The village is Const. Glen Cameron's first post. Cameron finished training at the RCMP depot in Regina on July 20.

Born in Winnipeg, Cameron spent most of his life in Ottawa. He said he asked for a Northern post "just for something different."

Cameron's father was in the RCMP so after serving three years in the Canadian Forces and then spending some time working in a homeless shelter in downtown Ottawa, he applied to join the Mounties.

"I have a Metis background so I wanted to come to the North to live and help and police an aboriginal community," he said.