Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Jan 27/06) - In Miss Bodnar's Grade 2 class on Monday, RCMP Const. Tim Fifield asked students which of his police tools helps him out most when on the beat.

Const. Tim Fifield of the Inuvik RCMP gives students in Miss Bodnar's Grade 2 class some pointers on how to deal with bullies. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

"Your gun."

"Your club."

"Your radio," offered the kids. "Well, my radio is important," replied Fifield. "But there's something else."

"Your brain," offered one youngster in the front row.

Yes, indeed. Using one's head when confronted with a bully is the best line of defence for anyone. And according to Fifield's manual for dealing with bullies, keeping your W-I-T-S is most important.

Walk away. Ignore them. Tell them to stop, and.... seek help.

Then Fifield went through the list of who kids should turn to in the event they are victimized by bullies. Parents, family members, teachers and police topped the students' list.

"It's short and to the point," says Fifield of the presentation he plans to give to other classes at SAMS.

"Kids seem to remember it easier if (the presentation) isn't long and drawn out."

A former K-12 teacher himself, Fifield easily connected with the kids before making them all part of the force with RCMP toques with an anti-drug and alcohol message on the back. "I'm glad to have him here," said Bodnar afterwards, "because we do have some bullies."