Iqaluit, Nunavut police to get 3 more officers

Positions to be staffed by this summer

The Iqaluit, Nunavut Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment is getting three new officers.

Staff Sgt. Monty LeComte said there will be two new constables and a corporal, all of whom will be stationed in the capital.

“There hasn’t been an increase in staff here in several years, although the population has risen,” said LeComte.

The new officers bring the total number in Iqaluit to 26. LeComte said the larger staff will help ease the growing workload. The new members must also agree to a three-year commitment, instead of two years.

He said more staff will help police continue to crack down on problems like bootlegging.

At a recent city council meeting, Coun. Mary Wilman expressed concerns about illegal booze. LeComte says police are continuing to tackle this issue, and has included it in the annual plan he’s working on.

“It’s good to hear that initiatives or more efforts is being paid towards bootlegging,” said Wilman.

The RCMP expects to have the positions filled by this summer.

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