Chris Hunsley
Northern News Services

Inuvik (July 25/05) - More federal resources are needed if the RCMP is going to stem the flow of drugs to the North and combat the country's highest crime rate, Canada's top cop said last week.

RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli said the force would collaborate with organizations across the territories to attacking the problem.

Southern detachments have also been enlisted in the fight against drugs.

"We need to concentrate not on what we don't have but what we do have," said Zaccardelli.

"We will never have all the resources that we need, nobody ever does."

The commissioner said that the Mackenzie Gas Project would not catch police off guard.

Adequate manpower will be in place to ensure safe and healthy communities, including small work camps, he said.

"These major projects are not something we're unaccustomed to," he said.

Zaccardelli met with the premier and minister of justice, RCMP management and members and community leaders to discuss issues around policing while on his tour.

Two wreath laying ceremonies at gravesites on Herschel Island and in Colville Lake also took place along with the official opening of a new detachment in Paulatuk.

"It was a bit of a fact finding mission and public relations trip to make sure he's in tune with the needs in the territory," said G Division Staff Sgt. Don Halina.

Dog slaughter

When asked about allegations made by Inuit elders that the RCMP deliberately slaughtered sled dogs during the 1950s, the commissioner said the information to date did not back up the claim.

"From everything we have seen there is no indication of a systemic approach to eliminate dogs from the communities," he said, emphasizing the report was not yet concluded.

Currently it's not possible to have permanent officers stationed in every community, said Zaccardelli.

"To deploy resources as effectively and efficiently as possible unfortunately means we can't have a presence everywhere."

The RCMP has put a proposal to the GNWT requesting more funds to increase police presence.