Like father, like daughter

RCMP officers on the scene for the queen

Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 14/02) - Lew and Pauline Philip are both members of the RCMP in Iqaluit. They are also father and daughter.

NNSL Photo

Lew and Pauline Philip accompanied Her Majesty the Queen during a visit to Nunavut. - photo courtesy of Mathew Akavak

Together, they drove around the Nunavut's capital as part of the Queen's motorcade earlier this month.

"We had to be at the scene first before she arrived. When she stopped we opened door for the Queen or her husband," said Corporal Lew Philip.

He met the Queen twice before in 1972 and 1994 during her visits to the North. But this time, he got very close and he did it with his daughter.

He said Pauline has wanted to be an RCMP officer ever since she was a little kid. She studied to be a teacher for four years. She set up her own business but still she wanted to be an officer like her dad. Lew is starting his 25th year with the organization.

"I always used to tell her when she was a child she was going to work in an office in a nice dress. But she always told me she can't work in an office as a clerk or a secretary," said Lew.

He said he supports Pauline and has always allowed her to make her own decisions. Now, he said he can't help her anymore because she wanted to do it and she got it. Pauline has been an RCMP officer for eight months now. Lew Philip said he's doesn't worry about her too much.

There are only three Inuk female officers in the RCMP in the North -- one in Yellowknife and two in Nunavut. Lew hopes one day there will be more.

He said the Queen's visit and their involvement in it was not only special for his family but for all of Nunavut.

"It was special for the people too, not only for myself and my daughter. I think it gives really good role models for the communities, for the people," said Lew.

This father has found satisfaction as a role model and in his career. He said he loves his job and would never be able to quit.

After having this sort of experience with the RCMP, he hopes his daughter will have the same. So far, after getting to meet the Queen, he thinks she's off to a good start.