Inuvik (Jul 07/06) - An Inuvik woman says she doesn't feel safe because the RCMP doesn't have an officer at the station 24-hours a day.

However, the RCMP says it has officers ready 22 hours a day except for two "gap hours" between shifts.

Corporal Jim Strowbridge, of the Inuvik RCMP, says there is simply no need for a 24-hour service. In case of emergency the next scheduled officer can be called to respond early.

"Yellowknife is the only 24-hour service," he says. "No one else in the (NWT) has a 24-hour service. There is simply no need for it."

Strowbridge says officers always prepare a bit early because they are often called before a shift. He compares response during gap hours to a volunteer firefighter service or on-call paramedic.

Those service people still respond to emergencies very quickly, he said.

"The (RCMP) member knows they are on call so they have all their kit," he says. "They are ready to go at a moment's notice."

Const. Noella Cockney, who regularly works 10-hour shifts in Inuvik, has been called on occasion.

"It's very rare," she says, adding that response is usually about the same as people in the office.

Jane Kramer, who owns a house on Mackenzie Street, says the RCMP should nevertheless have someone in the office at all times. Even a few minutes could make a big difference in an emergency, like an assault, robbery or serious crime.

"If an officer is sitting at their desk, they are ready to go out the door. But if they are at home, they have to get out of bed, get motivated, get dressed - that's extra response time."

Strowbridge says there is often a mistaken perception of what "on-call" means, adding that officers should be awake and ready one hour before their shift.

"They are ready to be there within minutes," he says.