Latest news with #NunavikPoliceService
Hamilton Spectator
30-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Nunavik Police Service aims to reinvent itself with funding increase
The Nunavik Police Service hopes to reinvent the way it serves the region after receiving a five-fold increase in its funding through an agreement between Kativik Regional Government and the Quebec and federal governments. The deal provides Nunavik police with $562 million to carry out its operations, spread over a five-year period from 2024 to 2029. That dwarfs the previous agreement, signed in 2018 and in effect until 2023, which totalled $115 million. 'Historical,' is how police Chief Jean-Pierre Larose described April's renewal of the Agreement on the Provision of Policing Services in the Kativik Region, during a French interview at his Kuujjuaq office on Wednesday. 'We have the means for our ambitions now,' he said. He said the funding increase is due to a detailed five-year plan Nunavik police presented to Quebec's public security ministry, which wants to reform the Nunavik Police Service and turn its focus to community policing. Over the past seven months, two people have died during incidents involving Nunavik police officers: Joshua Papigatuk, of Salluit, in November, and another man in Kangiqsualujjuaq in May. Both cases are being investigated by Quebec's police public watchdog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes. 'It is about growing closer and gaining the trust of Inuit by any means possible,' Larose said of community policing, adding he's open to suggestions from people in the Nunavik communities. 'That would be perfect, because I admit that I am starting to run out of ideas myself,' he said. 'I need the population to help us as well.' One significant upgrade will be a jump to 32 investigators for the service's mixed investigation team, which tackles drug smuggling and contraband. That's twice the current number of investigators. The Hudson and Ungava coast areas will each now have teams of 16 investigators, to improve efficiency and capacity throughout the region. Larose also wants to incorporate lieutenants — ideally, one in every village — to ensure the growing number of officers coming into the region are well structured and supervised. By 2029, he said, Nunavik Police Service will have over 250 officers compared to the 150 working now. 'I want them to be on the road, supervise the calls, supervise police officers during their interventions,' he said of the lieutenants, who will be picked from the current pool of Nunavik officers. Larose said the roughly 65 new officers who arrived within the past year and a half average 27 or 28 years in age and may lack experience. 'I am fully aware of that, so it is even more important to have a system of coaching and supervision in place,' he said. Relaunch ing the cadet program to recruit Inuit youth who would accompany officers during their outreach work, is also a priority for Larose. He believes that — alongside a more rigorous cultural introduction program to prepare incoming officers — will improve communication between the communities and the police. Larose wants incoming officers to spend days with community members to experience Inuit life and make stronger connections. All officers will also take a communication tactics course in de-escalating incidents, to help them defuse situations especially when mental health issues are involved. The funding increase will also allow Nunavik police to explore using alternative non-lethal weapons. Larose points out that in both recent cases where a police altercation ended in the death of a civilian, the conducted energy weapon, also known as a stun gun, was ineffective. 'This makes me question, it tells me that we should use other options where in some situations a rubber projectile weapon could be more beneficial,' he said.
National Observer
09-05-2025
- National Observer
Inuit group calls for Nunavik Police reform after latest fatal shooting
A political organization that represents Inuit in Quebec says policing in the Far North is "broken" after an officer shot and killed an Inuk man on Tuesday. The shooting by the Nunavik Police Service is the second officer-involved death in the northern region since November, and has reignited anger and trauma in Nunavik. The Quebec coroner's office identified the victim as Mark R Annanack, 35, of Kangiqsualujjuaq. Makivvik, a group that represents the Inuit of Nunavik, said in a scathing statement this week there is a pattern of police using excessive force in the region. "Makivvik is calling for immediate and exceptional measures," the organization said, adding that while an independent investigation is necessary, other actions must follow. "This crisis demands substantial structural change in the way policing is delivered across Nunavik, we cannot wait for another report while more lives are put at risk." Makivvik head Pita Aatami asked how many families must suffer before the province "understands that policing in Nunavik is broken?" "This latest tragedy is not isolated: it reflects a systemic failure in the way policing is delivered in Nunavik,' Aatami said. "Despite repeated warnings, commitments, and investigations, police interventions continue to fail our communities. We condemn this fatality, and we demand immediate and measurable accountability.' Quebec's police watchdog — Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes — said members of the Nunavik Police Service had planned to arrest someone who was inside a tent in the Inuit village on the eastern shore of Ungava Bay. The police force said in its own statement that officers had a warrant for the man, but the force said he resisted when two officers tried to arrest him about 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Makivvik, a group that represents the Inuit of Nunavik, said in a scathing statement this week there is a pattern of police using excessive force in the region. "Makivvik is calling for immediate and exceptional measures," the organization said. The police force said officers used pepper spray on the man, who they say emerged from the tent with a knife. An officer tried to subdue the man with a stun gun, but as the situation evolved an officer opened fire and the victim was later declared dead at a regional health centre. Quebec's police oversight agency announced Wednesday it was investigating the shooting in Kangiqsualujjuaq. Nunavik Police Service has declined to comment further. Nunavik officers are equipped with body cameras, and the police service confirmed video has been shared with the watchdog agency. Makivvik said the latest death reflects a failure of the police force to de-escalate a situation or employ a level of cultural understanding. In November 2024, an officer shot and killed Joshua Papigatuk and seriously injured his twin brother Garnet after police responded to a call about alleged impaired driving in Salluit, about 1,850 kilometres north of Montreal. The Quebec police watchdog is also investigating that killing. Following Papigatuk's killing, Makivvik said it has worked with the Kativik Regional Government to create the Nunavik public safety committee, tasked with reforming policing practices, ensuring better accountability and engaging with local community leaders in the region. "The committee's mandate includes reviewing use-of-force policies, advancing Inuit-led oversight, and co-ordinating with communities directly impacted by police violence," the organization said. Kativik Regional Government said in its own statement the police watchdog needs to move faster on investigations in Nunavik, with a "firm agreement to produce complete final reports within six months." They also want the watchdog agency to convene public meetings with communities and review investigation results with them. They should also publish reports in Inuktitut. A spokesman for Quebec Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière said he was in contact with Makivvik's president. "I offered him my support in these very difficult times for everyone," the minister said in a statement, adding he would keep close tabs on the watchdog agency's investigation. Jake Lamotta Granato, a spokesman for the coroner, said coroner Francine Danais will investigate Annanack's death.
Global News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
‘Policing in Nunavik is broken': Inuit group wants change after latest fatal shooting
The political organization that represents Inuit in Quebec says policing in the Far North is 'broken' after an officer shot and killed an Inuk man on Tuesday. The shooting by the Nunavik Police Service is the second officer-involved death in the northern region since November. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Makivvik, a group that represents the Inuit of Nunavik, says there is a pattern of police using excessive force in the region. In a news release, Makivvik head Pita Aatami asked how many families must suffer before the province 'understands that policing in Nunavik is broken?' The organization says the latest death reflects a failure of the police force to de-escalate a situation or employ a level of cultural understanding. In November 2024, an officer shot and killed Joshua Papigatuk and seriously injured his twin brother Garnet after police responded to a call about alleged impaired driving in Salluit, about 1,850 kilometres north of Montreal.
Toronto Star
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
‘Policing in Nunavik is broken': Inuit group wants change after latest fatal shooting
MONTREAL - The political organization that represents Inuit in Quebec says policing in the Far North is 'broken' after an officer shot and killed an Inuk man on Tuesday. The shooting by the Nunavik Police Service is the second officer-involved death in the northern region since November.
CTV News
09-05-2025
- CTV News
‘Policing in Nunavik is broken': Inuit group wants change after latest fatal shooting
The logo of the Nunavik Police Service is shown. (The Canadian Press/HO-Nunavik Police Service) (HO/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
