My understanding is the RCMP, a federal police force, operates in this province and in Nunatsiavut at the invitation of the province. The province pays the Feds for the RCMP operations in this province and Nunatsiavut.

So given the latest individual breakdown in human discipline of one of the forces members in this community one wonders where the political leaders are, outside of the Nain Inuit Community Government that is.

It seems eerily like the status quo of the wall of silence. Nothing from the federal member, or the MHA, or the Nunatsiavut Government. Unless you count that fawning overly condescending [to the constituents] interview that the first minister did on CBC.
The constituents must be wondering whose interests the first minister has as a priority.

The AngajukKâk of Nain was interviewed on CKOK yesterday afternoon after a meeting with RCMP officials. It was a very long interview of over 30 minutes.
The AngajukKâk is not in a very enviable position and much of what was reiterated by her was what was said by others at the meeting.
To my mind there are many more questions than answers going by that interview.

So where are the officials mentioned above?



Part duo of the AngajukKâk on the RCMP interview.

One suggestion was that people should understand that this and other incidences were individual shortcomings and not of the RCMP as a whole. We as citizens should respect the RCMP as an entity.

Personally I have always tried to respect any person or organization, especially one that deals with the public.
On several occasions as a concerned citizen I brought concerns to individual RCMP officers. I was made to feel very uncomfortable on two occasions and in one instance I was verbally threatened.
After considering this attitude I then took my concerns to a higher up in the RCMP. While I was listened to I still felt uncomfortable, that same office never made eye contact with me again when crossing paths in the public domain.

So I guess having respect for the entity is an individual choice and depends a lot on how you were dealt with by individual officers. I was either very unlucky or perhaps there is a certain culture in the RCMP that needs working on.

Another suggestion was that cultural awareness training take place before officers are transferred to remote communities. Also that new officers on arrival in their new post take the initiative to introduce themselves in different ways to the community.

I seem to remember on several occasions in the past 15 years similar suggestions being made. So what happened, was the policy introduced, if it was has it been carried out to the fullest. Something must have not happened the way it was intended if it is being offered up again.

Now I know some officers participate in sports, that is an individual choice.

Other initiatives like a community BBQ and other events on a social level take place put on by the detachment. That is sort of like good PR; uranium mining companies do good PR.


My opinion is that institutions like schools, health care, police, social services offices operate only as good as the person in charge. If you have a good team leader or boss [whatever the politically correct term is these days] then the rest of the staff will operate to that persons standards. I have seen it many times in many different institutions, the boss has to want to be there, have respect for their staff and more important have respect for the people he/she is there to serve, this will trickle down IMO.

Another one was that if citizens feel that the RCMP detachment is understaffed and or not doing such a great job then perhaps a citizens committee be formed to patrol the streets.
Been tried before and a bad idea. Bad idea because of liability issues for one. Bad idea because if it is decided that Nain needs seven officers who earn upwards of 80 grand a year why would citizens put their butts on the line for gratis? Beside they would have no authority, no self defense tools except a flashlight and a two way radio. Anyway most violence takes place in residences, again an authority issue.
I think this is skirting the issue of supplying policing that is of a high standard, it also does not deal with having your owne citizens trained as officers to become community police.

While on the subject of the detachment strength. Out of the seven person detachment there are only four on duty and living in the community at the moment. Two officers have been removed and I guess the other position has not been filled. It seems that the three vacancies, or at least two, are projected to be filled by July some time.