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RCMP heads swap

Lisa Scott
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 11/05) - Managing the problems that come with a booming economy is the biggest challenge facing Pat McCloskey as he takes charge of the RCMP "G" Division in Yellowknife.

A thriving drug trade, increased crime and other social problems that keep NWT police busy are all on the agenda of the RCMP's new Chief Superintendent in the Northwest Territories.

McCloskey took over from Everett Summerfield in a change of command ceremony this week.

The market for drugs in the North is growing and is quite different from the 1970's when he came to Yellowknife on his first RCMP posting, McCloskey said in an interview following the ceremony.

The economy and wealth are drawing organized crime from the south, he said.

"All those factors come together to an era we need to adjust to," said McCloskey, who moved up from the criminal operations position in Yellowknife.

He pointed to a recent drive-by shooting on 50th street as an example, and breaking a crack cocaine ring in Yellowknife.

RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli took the opportunity to come North for the ceremony in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly.

He faced the press along with McCloskey.

He said the "G" Division had the help of RCMP from across Canada and should also be aided by residents of Yellowknife and surrounding communities.

"Organized crime will get solved by all the key players across the country. The scourge of drugs is not just a police problem, it's a societal problem," he said.

Asked if RCMP officers in the North have enough money and resources, McCloskey said that "we're comfortably resourced at the moment."

He plans to improve police relations with aboriginal communities and pledged to visit all 33 communities in the Territories.

McCloskey will establish an aboriginal advisory committee with representation from across the North.

He also wants to increase the number of aboriginal police officers.

Of 183 RCMP in the Territories, 30 are aboriginal.

McCloskey took over the command of the division from Everett Summerfield, who has moved to Regina to be the criminal operations officer.