Repulse Bay (May 24/06) - Cpl. Mike Itwaru of the Repulse Bay detachment of the RCMP is one of only four officers to win the 2006 Mounted Police Foundation's President's Award.

The award was presented during a gala fundraising dinner in Toronto this past week.

Itwaru has been the detachment commander in Repulse for the past two years.

He is involved with the local cadet movement and spends a great deal of time with youth in the community.

Itwaru secured funding to help the breakfast program at Tusarvik school this past year, and his list of volunteer activities includes Cops for Cancer, Diabetes Canada and the Abilities Foundation of Nova Scotia.

Itwaru says he's proud to be recognized by the foundation for the work he does in the community.

"The main thing that keeps me involved in community programs, especially with youth, is the fact you don't get a whole lot of satisfaction from policing," Itwaru says.

"Not too many people phone to thank you for arresting them.

"The gratitude you get at that end is pretty minimal, but you get the good feelings from helping out in the community and being involved with youth programs.

"You're not doing it for special recognition, but for the good feeling you get inside from helping out."

Itwaru says another benefit of being involved is that sometimes he can help keep kids out of trouble.

He says everyone should have a hand in ensuring kids at a crossroads in their lives have people to help guide them to the right path.

"The RCMP is quite big on community policing because we represent the small communities in Canada.

"We're the national police force, but people in big cities don't have an appreciation for that the way those in smaller communities often do. That's why the overall health of the youth in the communities we serve is so important to many of us."

Itwaru says being involved with community programs can also lead to improved interaction with youth in the community.

He says being involved with the cadet corps in Repulse opens a number of doors for him with youth because they see him in such a different light.

"Kids often don't know how to approach you when you're in uniform.

"When they're given a chance to interact with you on a different level, the light goes on and they realize you're just a regular guy trying to help out.

"Any day you help prevent a kid from making a wrong choice is a good day!"