KINNGAIT/CAPE DORSET - The entire RCMP detachment in Cape Dorset is taking time off following two killings, an armed standoff and a shootout in a span of just over three weeks.

The four officers who handled these incidents are now on "health services debriefing," which is not stress leave, said Chief Supt. Steve McVarnock, commander of V Division. He added five other officers have taken their place in the meantime.

Mappaluk Adla, 22, was found dead inside a Cape Dorset residence on the morning of Sept. 20. Peter Kingwatsiak, 18, is facing one count each of second-degree murder, breaking and entering to commit aggravated assault, as well as possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace.

On Oct. 10 police responded to complaints of shots fired inside a residence at 2:40 p.m., where an armed male suspect had barricaded himself inside a house. Several shots were fired from within the house, according to RCMP Staff Sgt. Stephen Bergerman

A critical incident commander, the Iqaluit emergency response team and a negotiator were called to the scene to assist. Three-and-a-half hours later, the suspect surrendered to police, he said, and officers discovered a man dead inside the house.

Elee Geetah, 19, of Cape Dorset is facing 13 charges related to the incident, including one count of second-degree murder. Police identified the deceased as Jamesie Simigak, 23 - the suspect's brother. McVarnock said police should be finished their initial probe into that case by the weekend.

Then on Oct. 13, police received a report of shots being fired in the community at about 1:05 a.m.

RCMP officers located two 15-year-old youths with firearms. RCMP Sgt. Jimmy Akavak stated attempts to negotiate a resolution to the situation failed when shots were fired shots down a residential street.

Police returned fire once, he stated. Both youths immediately surrendered.

One youth was treated for a non life-threatening injury after being shot on the side of the torso. He remains in hospital while the other is in custody, said McVarnock.

McVarnock said one of the Cape Dorset officers found a bullet lodged in the bathtub of his home and police believe this is related to the standoff on Oct. 10.

"When the threat comes right into the residence, it just exasperates the fear and the worry that the family members have. Of course, that also impacts on the (RCMP) member," he said.

He added a dog and raven were shot during the same incident.

"It would be premature right now to say whether or not it was direct or if it's collateral result of random and irresponsible gunfire," he said.

McVarnock said if he could come up with an explanation for the spate of violence in the community, he would patent it.

"It just seems to have an unfortunate history of accelerated levels of violence but alcohol abuse is the common denominator there," said McVarnock.

"We can put 12 officers in there year-round but if there is no respect for firearms, if there is no respect for alcohol, all we're doing is recycling the problem. I don't care how many officers you have in there, you're not going to change anything if the community doesn't want change. The ball is in their court. We're going to dance with them. We will support them and I'm just hoping that this will be one of those turning moments in their history."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.