Yellowknifers of all ages lined up to grab some grub off the grill and meet with community law enforcement members at the second annual Yellowknife Detachment open house and barbecue Tuesday, part of the forceSA国际影视传媒檚 yearly celebration of National Police Week.
Gleeful groups of school children, accompanied by community members eager to snag a burger or hot dog, filled the rear parking lot of the detachmentSA国际影视传媒檚 5010 VeteransSA国际影视传媒� Memorial Drive building.
Information was available at booths staffed by municipal, territorial and federal law enforcement agencies, including the citySA国际影视传媒檚 Municipal Enforcement Division (MED), Canadian Border Services Agency and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Guests were treated to demonstrations aimed at educating attendees and recruiting would-be law enforcers, including a crowd-rousing display of a trained police dog in action.
Along with the smell of grilled goodness, change was in the air as well.
The event welcomed Yellowknife newcomer Julie Plourde, the detachmentSA国际影视传媒檚 recently hired media relations officer.
Plourde, who worked as a journalist for a decade before moving into the communications world, told Yellowknifer her past experience has equipped her with a unique skill set SA国际影视传媒� one that allows her to appreciate the importance of reporting and journalism.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think I understand the amount of pressure reporters go through of a daily basis,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
Her experience has equipped her to be more SA国际影视传媒減roactiveSA国际影视传媒� when it comes to media relations, she said.
She's also bilingual.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 very important that we can provide our services in both French and English,SA国际影视传媒� to best serve YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 diverse community, added Plourde.
Yellowknife is one of the few detachments in Canada that does not yet have a social media presence - Twitter or Facebook - but plans are underway to change that, said Plourde.
Media spokesperson Marie York-Condon, also present at the meet and eat Tuesday, told Yellowknifer the success of the SA国际影视传媒檚 social media presence hinges on SA国际影视传媒渟upport,SA国际影视传媒� that has to be there.
SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 our biggest challenge,SA国际影视传媒� said York-Condon, adding there are hurdles to overcome in terms of operating a Twitter or Facebook page.
York-Condon, who has been media relations officer for the last three years, will continue working as a communications officer for the .
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e really looking forward to the opportunities Julie brings SA国际影视传媒� having a bilingual officer, weSA国际影视传媒檙e so thrilled we managed to get someone with the credentials; the degree; the experience. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e excited,SA国际影视传媒� said York-Condon.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e going to be supporting each otherSA国际影视传媒檚 roles,SA国际影视传媒� added Plourde.
Before a spirited dance broke out at the grounds, fuelled by energetic kids and led by 脡cole Allain St-Cyr teacher and Fitness Squad participant Christine Levesque, deputy mayor Shauna Morgan offered a few words at the event.
SA国际影视传媒淲e all play an important role in keeping Yellowknife a safe, friendly and welcoming community,SA国际影视传媒� said Morgan, adding the city is grateful for SA国际影视传媒渉ow well the is coordinating with the municipal government.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e also thankful the shares the citySA国际影视传媒檚 commitment to seeking a better understanding of the bigger picture to the causes of some of the problems we see in our community,SA国际影视传媒� she added.
Morgan's speech was followed by a brief talk from Insp. Alex Laporte, the officer in charge of the Yellowknife detachment, who applauded the hard work of his staff.
As for the dozens of young students Yellowknifer caught up with at the community BBQ, the answer to the best part of the day was easy: the food.
National Police Week, launched in 1970, recognizes the services provided by police and law enforcement, while helping members connect with the communities they serve and protect.
