Yellowknife, N.W.T. - Federal public safety minister Vic Toews was in town to announce funding for arts and culture in the NWT, but he also took the time to talk about his own department as well.

Toews had a chance to meet with members of G Division RCMP Thursday and much of their chat revolved around how policing can take on more of a community approach.

He said the RCMP have to become a little more personal at times, especially with more jobs and development coming available in the North.

"They have to become more involved; with the community work with the community with family’s members to determine how best to keep young people out of prison.  Also how we can assist communities in dealing with some of the changes that economic development brings."

Toews also said people do realize that the RCMP is an important part of the North.

"Communities obviously want the RCMP to stay in the communities, the RCMP are seen as a very strong stabilizing factor in these communities."

He added isolation provides a need for the RCMP to become more innovative in its approach to law enforcement.

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