Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, September 5, 2007

RANKIN INLET - Three detachments of the Kivalliq RCMP are batting a combined .333 when it comes to their female summer students seeking a career with the force.

And that average has room to grow.

Maria Kasaluak, 12, gets direction from RCMP summer student Suzanne Sammurtok during a recent bike rodeo in Rankin Inlet. Sammurtok has decided to pursue a career with the RCMP. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The detachments in Repulse Bay, Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin Inlet gave their summer students straight A's for their efforts.

Cpl. Mike Itwaru said Denise Malliki did an excellent job with the Repulse RCMP.

He said the problem with having a summer student in a small home community is that they see less-than-favourable situations involving their family or friends.

"That can be very difficult for students working for us and it's definitely not for everyone," said Itwaru.

"It's one small part of policing, but it can make an impact on many individuals.

"But, that's the good thing about the Mounted Police - you kind of get your feet wet somewhere else and then, eventually, if you want to come back home that option is there.

"You just have to be confident enough in your abilities that dealing with family members, or people you've known your whole life, is never an issue."

Itwaru said spending the summer with the RCMP was an excellent opportunity for Malliki, and he'd like to see more young people show an interest in the position.

He said while Malliki is leaning towards a career in the health field, her time with the detachment was a positive experience for her.

"We'd love to see Denise apply to the force, but, no matter what she decides, it was great having her with us.

"She was a real breath of fresh air.

"Any organization would be fortunate to end up with Denise on staff."

Suzanne Sammurtok thoroughly enjoyed being a summer student with the Rankin detachment and has decided to pursue a career with the RCMP.

She said her time with the force was a wonderful experience and a lot of fun.

"It was very different from what I expected when I first started," said Sammurtok.

"I couldn't believe how much paperwork there was, but I enjoyed doing it.

"I never expected to learn as much as I did during the past few months."

Sammurtok said she doesn't know when she'll get to attend the RCMP training depot in Regina.

She said the first step is passing her application test.

"I'm not nervous because I really want to go and I can only get there by passing the test, so I'm excited about getting the chance to take it.

"Sometimes the work is difficult and challenging and that's what I like about it.

"Everyday is different and you have to always be at your best to do a good job."

If Sammurtok, who turns 19 this month, does make the force, she said she'd have no problem being an officer in her home community.

"If I make it that far, and I'm posted to Rankin, that would be OK with me.

"But, it really doesn't matter. I wouldn't mind if they sent me somewhere else.

"I just want to do the job."

Chester RCMP Cpl. Kurt Kamoski said his summer student, Rebecca Sammurtok, was an excellent young person for the detachment to have.

Kamoski said he couldn't have asked for any more than what Rebecca gave the detachment.

He said she would do very well with the RCMP if that's the direction she decides to go.

"Rebecca handled everything we asked of her during the summer," said Kamoski

"She was able to see all kinds of stuff go on, from simple investigations to more complex matters.

"She excelled with her public-relations assignments and showed very, very strong people skills."

Rebecca, 19, said while she enjoyed her summer with the detachment, she hasn't made up her mind about a career in the RCMP.

"I'm thinking hard about it, but I'm also looking at some other things," she said.

"I want to take my time and make the decision that's best for me."

Rebecca said if she does decide to seek a career in policing, she'd rather be in a different community than the one she grew up in.

"It's tough when you know everybody in town, so I'd rather be posted to a different community.

"I enjoyed working with kids during the summer and I could tell they kind of looked up to me.

"But, when we were enforcing helmets on ATVs, a lot of people in the community wouldn't look at me at all.

"It was a bit difficult."