Iqaluit (Mar 24/03) - RCMP Insp. Robert Hagymasy can't think of anything more important than adding to the number of Inuit RCMP in Nunavut.

Joe Baines is an Inuit RCMP member who has been serving in Iqaluit for the past two-and-a-half years. - Chris Puglia/NNSL photo

He is the director of the national staffing policy directorate for the RCMP. Hagymasy was in Iqaluit last week to speak at an Inuit RCMP officers conference.

"At the national level there is a common goal across our various areas that the RCMP represent the communities we serve," he said.

That representation is vital to forming strong bonds with the community. As well as in helping recruit more Inuit RCMP.

"Individuals who join the RCMP do usually because of their first contact with RCMP members," said Hagymasy.

Const. Joe Baines is an RCMP member serving in Iqaluit and he is Inuit.

Baines said approximately 40 per cent of the Nunavut RCMP is Inuit and they are slowly working towards having an Inuit RCMP member in every community.

From his experience, Baines said, the community is very supportive of more Inuit members being involved in the RCMP.

It also helps the community relate to a member especially if he or she can speak Inuktitut with unilingual residents.

"It's very important. To be able to communicate with people is essential," he said.