Summer Safety in Baker Lake is Provided by a Police Officer Published 7:36 am Wednesday, July 29, 2026 By Jill Westerman Northern News Services Florence is a summer police officer whose position is aimed at providing community safety and security. “I became a police officer this summer because I wanted to help keep the community safe for the community,” he said. Naglugalik is applying for a summer leave from her job as a student assistant in the high school. “It’s a summer break, so I don’t want to be busy this summer, I’m looking for a summer job,” he says. She says she enjoys doing things, using new things and learning things. “I like to learn, use and develop new skills, even if it’s difficult,” I’m always motivated to take on new challenges because I believe that whatever opens up for me helps me grow and become better.” In his daily routine, Nagyugalik begins by checking that the police vehicle is safe to drive before he starts. “First, I check the car to make sure it’s comfortable,” he says. “I always check that buildings are locked and secure and I just check buildings such as schools and children’s homes.” Spend the day inspecting the community, ensuring that safety and service standards are met. He also uses the police car for community funerals and handles calls to dogs. Road safety is very important to him. “Just follow the rules to make sure the stick is wearing helmets, and that there are not two squares,” he says in his work. “Make sure they’re using the speed limit and that they’re not traveling too fast.” He says if they follow the rules, he just continues. Sagjugalik believes the inspection has had a positive impact and drivers have become more vigilant since he started as an inspector in the community. “There were a lot of traffic accidents years ago, but since I started road care, I feel like they’ve stopped because I stopped them,” he says. Although he enjoys his job, some of the tasks are difficult. Taking care of the dogs is not very important in her job, and some of the dogs she takes care of like Kinami are difficult. “It’s a little difficult,” he says, “but I have to do it because it’s my duty.” Training was done hand-in-hand with the Baker Lake Police Officers, recognizing the importance of learning in their jobs. “Good cop,” he says. “It’s amazing. He helps the community and makes sure that everything is OK. He taught me what he does, and I just work in his work. It made my job possible.” She says being a woman hasn’t changed what she sees in this place. “To me, anyone can do it if they have the heart,” he says. You just have to be strong mentally, like dealing with riots.” The community has generally been supportive of his project, he says. “I’m always told I’m doing a good job,” she says. “There’s always some in the Cataclysm, but I don’t care about them.” For Nagyugaling, the proudest part of her job is helping to protect the community’s younger generation. “It’s important to me that children everywhere, who are outside, are safe to get out of these vehicles,” she says. He believes police officers have a role to play in all communities. “I think it’s important to have police officers at all times,” he said. In his current position for the summer, Nablugalik hopes to return to the position. “That’s why I’ll continue to be a police officer,” he says. “We’ll see what happens.” After seeing the first week he had started, he said it was a good tool. “Being a police officer has given me a great tool in my job that has enabled me to care for the community I feel about,” he says. “I am proud to be able to help in my work in Baker Lake and to be involved in building a safe, strong community that I am proud to call home.” “It’s cool,” he says. “Sometimes it’s scary… we’re not the same every time.”
Summer safety in Baker Lake is in charge of a police officer
