RCMP wants to help Igloolik move forward after shooting

There were moments of anger and tears Wednesday as mid-level RCMP officers met with people in Igloolik, Nunavut, in the hopes of improving the relationship between police and residents. 

Sgt. Yvonne Niego says the meeting was prompted by an incident in October, where a man drove around the community on a snowmobile, shot at the RCMP detachment and injured an officer. 

"The main point of the meeting was for the issues surrounding what happened that day to be brought to our attention so that perhaps things can be improved." 

Niego says she estimates about 100 people showed up to the new community hall on Wednesday afternoon to tell police about their issues with the services RCMP provide. 

Many pointed to a lack of communication.

At this time, Niego says the officer who was injured in the shooting is "healing well and is expected to come back to work," but he isn't ready to return yet. 

That leaves Igloolik with three officers, who are there as relief. 

"However, plans are in place to identify members who want to be there, who are very community policing minded, who are able to get out in the community and address that communication gap."

Niego says these communications issues aren't isolated to Igloolik, and police need to tailor their plans for each community.

"Every community is different. We have our own forms of communications networks. Some communities use the radio, some use CB, some use posters at the local store or post offices."

Following Wednesday's meeting, Niego says RCMP are looking at using community radio to tell people in that hamlet about what the detachment is doing. 

Understanding Inuit culture

Having grown up in Nunavut, Niego says she could relate to many of the issues brought up at the meeting, but she felt good about how RCMP, as well as the hamlet and MLAs were ready to work with the community.

"It gave everyone perspective and hopefully we can all go back to our organizations or our homes and figure out a way forward together." 

Knowing that many RCMP come from outside of the territory, Niego emphasizes the importance of understanding how different societal norms are in Nunavut. 

"You don't wait for an invitation to an event like a wedding or a funeral or a community dance or a feast. You are expected to come and be a part of the community," she says.

"We kind of have to be ambassadors and be inviting to other cultures and teach them about ours. Otherwise we'll continue to have these problems."

Shooter to appear in court this month

The man who charged in the Igloolik shooting is set to be back at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit on February 24, 2015.

Donovan Iyerak is charged with four counts of attempted murder and reckless discharge of a firearm.

RCMP are also looking at improving safety protocols, saying October's incident "left the community very vulnerable."

While someone was shooting at the detachment, police had to retreat into the detachment building, where they couldn't communicate with residents or respond to any other complaints.