NUNAVUT
A pilot project to increase the number of Inuit special constables in the North has had a slow start with a single recruit, but the project will go on, said the RCMP.

The Inuit special constable pilot project started this year after former Chief Supt. Marty Cheliak initiated it two-and-a-half years ago. The RCMP originally had five recruits but as other jobs and absence from home for training became an issue, four backed down, said Sgt. Jimmy Akavak.

"Better than none," he said. "Hopefully it works out."

Akavak said recruits will undergo 21 weeks of training at the RCMP's depot in Regina, learning about the law and crime prevention. The training also includes getting familiar with handguns, shotguns and rifles, undergo tactical training, self-defense, pepper spray and baton use, handcuffing, how to approach and talk to people as well as marching, where recruits learn discipline and teamwork. The recruit will start that training this month, he added.

Once finished his training and working in a community, the recruit will be a peace officer, focusing on crime prevention and supporting regular RCMP members, said Akavak. Special constables also bring language and land skills, allowing them to serve as a communication bridge between southerners and communities.

Although the plan is to eventually build a troop of 32 Inuit special constables, the RCMP decided to initially fund five recruits, Nunavut's Justice Minister Keith Peterson said in the legislative assembly Oct. 20.

"We're hopeful we'll eventually have 32 Inuit special constables," said Peterson at the legislature. "It's all in our best interest to ensure that the folks succeed when they come out of depot."

Akavak said the public often asks why Inuit are not answering the phone and why no Inuit police are in smaller communities.

"Inuit should be entitled to ... policing service in Inuktitut, their language. Bring up the numbers in Inuit RCMP presence in the North," he said. "The ultimate goal would be to have more Inuit in the communities as aboriginal community constables."

Akavak said he joined the RCMP as a special constable in 1984 before returning to the depot in 1990 to become a regular member. Maybe the project will be a foot in the door, allowing special constables to advance to regular members, he added. "It may open up new doors, jobs within the RCMP, not just arresting people, dealing with people on the streets, it may open up new doors to telecoms or forensics, other trades within the RCMP."

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