RANKIN INLET - Rankin Inlet's Albert Kimaliakyuk and Warren Kusugak were sworn in as community constables after finishing two weeks of training in Iqaluit this past month.

The pair, who have worked as bylaw officers for a number of years, now have powers equivalent to a peace officer and can make arrests.

Rankin Inlet's Albert Kimaliakyuk and Warren Kusugak, right, were sworn in as community constables after a two-week training course in Iqaluit this past month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The majority of the officers who started the training program were from Nunavut, with two from Labrador and three from the NWT also taking part.

Although the training was mostly a refresher course for the two Rankin constables, Kimaliakyuk said it was still intense because six weeks worth of material was covered in just two weeks.

"It was a lot of work, but it really keeps you focused at the same time," said Kimaliakyuk.

"You get up early in the morning, go hard all day and then have lots of homework on top of that."

The program covered numerous topics, including the use of pepper spray, court briefings, individual rights and negotiation skills.

Kimaliakyuk said he and Kusugak are now able to make arrests without RCMP officers being present.

He said they will spend 40 per cent of their time with the RCMP and the rest on hamlet-related matters.

"We didn't have the power to arrest anyone after the first time we completed our training," said Kimaliakyuk.

"But I don't feel any different because we've been working with the RCMP since we started, so we'll just continue doing our jobs the best that we can."

Kusugak has been in bylaw enforcement for about four years.

He said he enjoys his duties and helping out the RCMP however he can.

To him, the fact he can now make arrests is just part of his job, but not everyone sees it that way.

"When I first started, I would feel uncomfortable when someone I knew was being arrested," said Kusugak.

"Now it's just part of my duties, but how others look at it hasn't changed much.

"There are people in the community who realize I have to do my job, but there are others who think I should always give them a break.

"I always hear I should look the other way because we grew up together or they've known me their whole life, that type of thing."

Kusugak said he and Kimaliakyuk can sometimes make things smoother between the RCMP officers and those they're dealing with.

He said people can be hesitant to talk to officers they don't know and find it easier to approach familiar faces.

"Other times a call will come in and we're able to tell the officers a bit about the person they're going to see and what to expect from them," he said.

"It's just a precautionary tool that helps keep things a little calmer between the police and whoever might be at the call."

Sgt. Gavin Nash said the focus on community constables right now helps with RCMP resources.

He said the Rankin detachment currently has a vacant position and - with an officer away with his wife to have a baby and another on light duties due to an accident - is running at half strength.

"Having Warren (Kusugak) and Albert (Kimaliakyuk) to pick up some of the slack is a great boost for us," said Nash.

"Most of the time we're working alone, so it's nice to have an extra person available with a bit of training and knowledge."

Nash said it's also a bonus for the detachment to have two community constables who know almost every individual they deal with.

He said it's a benefit to have them available when the officers are dealing with someone for the first time and don't know where they live.

"We can call one of our two community constables and they can give us directions right to their residence," he said.

"So, the knowledge of local people, culture, customs and dialect is extremely important.

"We have three officers who are all from the Baffin and sometimes the dialect gives them difficulty."

Nash said Kusugak and Kimaliakyuk will also be fully engaged in community policing activities.

"They're a fantastic addition to our detachment and invaluable in assisting us when we're working alone," he said.

"We welcome them in their new capacity and look forward to working with them for a long time."