Yellowknife (Apr 21/03) - As of April 1, the Northwest Territories officially acquired three extra Mounties paid for by the GNWT.

They had been among four officers assigned to law enforcement in national parks and funded by the federal government. However, the extra help is no longer needed in the parks, since wardens have resumed law enforcement.

For almost two years, the four police officers had been assigned to Fort Smith, Fort Simpson, Paulatuk and Holman.

"They were assigned especially for the parks," explains Insp. Greg Morrow of the RCMP's 'G' Division in Yellowknife.Two of the Mounties will remain in Paulatuk and Holman Island, while another has been moved to Wha Ti.

"Therefore, you won't see any difference in staffing levels, except for one," says Morrow.

Paulatuk and Holman Island were historically one-person detachments, as was Wha Ti.

"We're pleased to announce that there are now no one-person detachments in the NWT," says Morrow, noting the last one was Wha Ti until the second officer was assigned there in October.

The RCMP has been gradually withdrawing from the extra service in national parks.

Parks Canada announced last month that park wardens would resume responsibilities for enforcing the Canada National Parks Act and Regulations, and the RCMP would return to historic levels of enforcement as of April 1.

The agency withdrew wardens from law enforcement in early 2001 after a health and safety officer in Alberta recommended they be allowed to carry sidearms or their duties be adjusted to ensure safety.

Parks Canada has refocused wardens on resource protection and public safety, and significantly reduced their role in highway traffic and Criminal Code enforcement.

After a safety analysis, Parks Canada has also updated law enforcement policy, clarified responsibilities, improved software for tracking safety incidents, and equipped staff with additional communication equipment.