All-night duty

RCMP officers often left to work alone

Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Feb 19/01) - Policing Nunavut can be a lonely -- and dangerous -- business.

Most of the territory's 22 detachments are supposed to have two or three RCMP officers. Even so, it's not unusual for a constable to be left alone for weeks or months at a time. Officers are often called away to escort prisoners, testify in court or go on vacation.

Nunavut crime numbers Crime statistics and population determine the size of a detachment in Nunavut. Four detachments in Nunavut have one person, eight have two people and four have three. In two-person detachments, a member is left alone about two to six months per year. There are ongoing discussions between the RCMP and the GN to allocate funding for more RCMP positions in the territory.

Resolute Bay is supposed to have two officers. Last week, Const. Sylvie Jeannotte was left on her own when the other officer left to testify in court in Fort Providence.

"If I go into a house where there is a drinking party, I have no backup," said Jeannotte.

"Unfortunately the RCMP are not providing support which means I'm on duty 24 hours a day and it is exhausting."

Her situation is not unusual. Last year some of the approximate 100 RCMP officers in Nunavut worked alone the equivalent of 2,380 days.

Sgt. Tim Walton, V Division liaison between staff and management, said the issue of working alone tops his priority list.

"It's just a matter of time before something serious happens," Walton said. "All it takes is one physical altercation to go bad and where does that leave the member or the community?"

Bringing in new officers means increasing funding for the policing. The RCMP has had discussions with the GN but adding more positions is not a department of justice priority.

"We are still working within the initial budget and our understanding is that it is sufficient," said Nora Sanders, deputy minister of justice.

Sanders said community constables, employed by municipalities, are available in many hamlets to aid police.

"They are no substitute for a regular RCMP member," Walton said. "They are a valuable tool with their role of assisting ... but don't have the training."

The 23-member detachment in Iqaluit has sent officers to other detachments to fill in, but the first priority is to serve Iqaluit.

"We ensure the minimum quality of service is given to the people of Iqaluit first," said Iqaluit Staff Sgt. Michael Jeffrey.