Police watchdog finishes investigation into Kangiqsujuaq injury

Quebec’s police watchdog says it has submitted its report on an incident in Kangiqsujuaq where a person suffered a serious injury in police custody.

On April 30, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, which investigates cases where people are injured or killed during contact with police, sent its report to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions, which will decide whether the officers involved should face charges.

On Jan. 30, just after 10 p.m., police arrested a person who attempted to flee, said a release published by the bureau on Feb. 4. Its statement did not provide the age or sex of the person who had been arrested.

Officers brought the person to the ground during the arrest before taking the suspect into custody at about 10:15 p.m.

On Feb. 2., the person was taken to the hospital with a serious injury.

It was unclear at the time whether the injury was inflicted during the arrest or in custody, Jeremie Comtois, the bureau spokesperson said Feb. 4.

Four people have died in Nunavik in interactions with police in the past year and a half.

Joshua Papigatuk died in November 2024 and his twin brother Garnet was badly injured after they were shot by police.

In May 2025, Mark R. Annanack died in Kangiqsualujjuaq after a confrontation with police. In July 2025, James Kavik in Inukjuak died after an incident involving police.

Then in December, a six-year-old girl identified by a family member as Alacie Iqaluk died and her father, Andrew Naluktuk, was injured in a police-involved shooting in Inukjuak.

The bureau has submitted its reports on all four cases to prosecutors. No announcement has been made on whether charges will be laid.