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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Two weeks ago Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day joined the Yellowknife RCMP detachment commander for an impromptu ride-along - and it's unlikely either of them will soon forget the experience.

"I was impressed," said Staff Sgt. Mike Brandford, who took Day out for the 25-minute trip.

"He certainly cares about what's going on out there. Not only on the police side, and how we're getting along, but also on the public side."

Day wrote about his trip in a Sept. 3 column in which he described Yellowknife's unique police calls, including a male wielding a samurai sword and dog-versus-dog attack, during his short time in the patrol truck.

Before the ride-along Day "actually came down to the detachment and introduced himself to everybody and they had a very informal chat for about 20 minutes," said Branford.

"What I really liked was that he came in and he wanted to see the guys that were on the street," the sergeant added.

Day also did ride-alongs in Montreal - where he went out after midnight with an anti-street gang squad - and Inuvik, where he lived for a year more than 30 years ago.