Iqaluit (July 05/04) - At first glance, it's easy to mistake Jeff Kheraj for an RCMP officer. The only noticeable difference is he wears the word student on his arm.

Kheraj, from Resolute Bay, is the new summer student at the Iqaluit detachment. While the 19-year-old isn't a full-fledged member, for the next two months he will gain valuable experience in the field of law enforcement.

"I'm always getting mistaken for a police officer. When I walk down the street I've heard parents say to their children to be good or they will get arrested," he said.

Kheraj has been on the beat since May 16. It has taken a few weeks for Kheraj to get settled in the detachment, but now it's business as usual.

"I sort of help wherever I'm needed," he said.

Kheraj said the best part about police work is the variety of tasks. He said every shift is different and nobody knows what's going to happen.

"I didn't really know what to expect when I started," he said.

An example was on June 27, when Kheraj was called to help with a car fire reported at Ecole des Trois-Soleils.

"Because it was close to the school, we didn't know what to expect. We had to control the traffic to make sure the area was safe," he said. "It was exciting."

Not what you'd think

Kheraj admits that the job is quite different than most people think. He said people have the idea that police work is all action, but it's a lot of paperwork as well.

Of course, not being an actual police officer has some perks. Kheraj doesn't have to do the paperwork.

"I get to do all the fun stuff and not have the huge workload," he said.

"I have the best of both worlds."

Const. Tom Cooke, Kheraj's supervisor, said it's been great having him in the office.

"He's getting an inside look at police work," he said.

Kheraj became interested in police work because of the push to encourage more Inuit officers.

He said when police are dealing with a call, it's important to understand the people.

"I like that I'm able to speak Inuktitut. I have an understanding of culture and it helps when dealing with people."

Kheraj even acted as a translator since he's been in Iqaluit.

After spending 10 months at school in Inuvik, Kheraj said it's good to be back in Nunavut.

"I didn't speak much Inuktitut while in college. I lost some of my vocabulary, but it's starting to come back to me now."

Left home for first time

For Kheraj, college was the first time he's been away from Resolute Bay and it's been a positive learning experience.

Now he hopes to keep up with his studies. His plan is to go back to Aurora College to enrol in the three-year Criminal Justice program, and then apply at the RCMP training centre in Regina, Sask.

"By the end of the summer I will know if this is something that I want to do," he said.