New year will see new recruits and tech for Nunavik police
A full complement of officers and the use of body-worn cameras in the pipeline
The Kativik Regional Police Force is introducing new recruits and body-worn cameras in early 2020. (Photo by Elaine Anselmi)
After months of low staffing levels, the Kativik Regional Police Force is seeing the fruits of its aggressive recruiting efforts.
Police chief Jean-Pierre Larose updated councillors at the Kativik Regional Government meeting on Nov. 26 on progress so far. That includes the graduation of 10 new KRPF recruits from the Ontario Police College this week.
The recruitment program also included connecting with recently retired southern officers about coming up to work in the Kativik region.
Because of the staffing shortage, the KRPF has had officers from the provincial force, the Sûreté du Québec, filling out the complement. In September, there were 20 SQ officers in Nunavik.
The number of SQ officers has slowly decreased with the KRPF’s recruiting efforts, and Larose said by early 2020 they should no longer need provincial officers.
Cultural awareness training kicks off
An Inuit cultural awareness training program for KRPF officers is also now online as of Nov. 18. The training was co-developed by the KRPF and Laval University and includes general information on Nunavik, Inuit culture, and the history of policing in the region.
That three-hour training program is followed by an exam, which is factored into their interview. “This part of the training will help KRPF select its new officers based on their cultural sensitivity,” Larose said.
The second part of the training is nine hours long and will be mandatory for all officers, said Larose. It’s expected to be completed early in the new year.
Cameras to be worn by officers
Another addition to the force that was welcomed by councillors is the use of cameras to be worn by some officers while on duty. This is a pilot project, with six cameras currently ready for use.
“The pilot project has been initiated in response to the request of Nunavimmiut for the KRPF to be more transparent in their police operations,” Larose said. “It is KRPF’s goal to increase and maintain the trust between the population and its officers.”
Kuujjuaq councillor Jobie Tukkiapik was hopeful the cameras would provide reassurance to people who have had negative experiences with the police.
“We hear about mistreatment by police and for those that were mistreated they don’t want to disclose. They are intimidated by police,” Tukkiapik said. “These body cameras need to be used.”
He added that even when it’s just one or two officers mistreating people, it has a much larger effect, creating concerns about the whole force.
He hoped the cameras, which record events the officer is involved in, would be put to use as soon as possible.
Larose said they would start using the cameras in January. He also responded that any aggressive or inappropriate behaviour would not be accepted on the force.
“I fired a police officer last week that was not conforming to our goal for policing in Nunavik,” he said. “We will not tolerate any cocky police officer in Nunavik.”
Wishing SQ Police would stay, they are well trained officers, and they use to have 16 Inuit Officers, what do we see today? Barely any Inuit Officers.
The KRPF Officers are just collecting points to gain skills, so they will get hired in south, we don’t need southerners, it was suppose to be run by Inuit Officers.
Remembering late Bill William Ford whom was Inuk from Kuujjuaq, he was a Chief of Police, even as a former SQ Officer, too bad that, he died from a fire. Inuit Officers were more at ease dealing with their suspects with respect, what do we see today? A racial Police man from south who does not have a clue of Inuit culture!
And we see a lot of intimidation manipulative cops with their racial attitude, What is KRG doing creating rotten cops?
Imagine this scenario, an uneducated Inuk drop out, whom doesn’t even know their rights. Supposedly a “Disturbance” call has been made against them, but the KRPF officer doesn’t respect their rights and detains, searches and violates the accused rights.
The Inuk, whom doesn’t know what they can do, proceeds to listen to everything the officer says, even if he didn’t lie but is accused of some disturbance.
Sometimes, a statement can be manipulated and turned to favour the officer saying they made an arrest for that night. While the Inuk doesn’t know their right when called upon by a police officer.
Now, court systems, Lawyer is pushing for the accused to plead guilty for a REDUCED sentence. Lawyer is saying “If we fight, they will impose maximum sentencing” because convicting someone to the max looks great on their Resume. Or, the court gets post poned for a good 3-4 months, they try again, post poned again, over and over like this until they are finally convicted (Can take years for such as minor disturbance or something similar), and when they get convicted, their life now has a criminal record AFTER THE DECISION. So, after arrest, court and either a fine or some jail time, they may suffer serious trauma and regret for a period longer than hockey seasons. While also having to PAY everytime they hire their lawyer, even if they’re only postponed.
The Justice system is not designed to help these already heavy burden isolated people, it is designed to make more money off of the people.
Having a camera on an officer would bring SUSTAINABLE EVIDENCE, court proceedings and TIME can be sped up, having a proper system results in a better flourishing economy, creating less problems, yadayadayadayada. I’m all for officers having cameras. If opposed, background check the officer. Why would you purposely risk the time and life of a local, just to get good deeds on paper for you? You’re serving the people, not your salary, not your own personal life but serving people in your region, they’re supposed to look at you and run after you for help, not the other way around. Cameras are all good and I rather see myself on screen in court with the PROPER CHARGES instead of having it all blanketed by your comfort of authority.
– Nunavimmiut Youth
Imagine not knowing what you’re saying and continuing to spread misinformation .
Its not rocket science going on here, its simple. Behave yourself, and make good decision. Stay away from abusing alcohol, and drugs, and you wont have to worry about police, camera , lawyers or the courts. Mind your own busy would be good too, and don’t treat your girlfriend or boyfriend with jealousy. Thats pretty much it, try it.
Air Inuit trains pilots for Air Transat , KRPF trains cops for the OPP and RCMP.
First of anyone one is welcomed to be trained with krpf, and air inuit. You are invited to do so, and can stay wherever you want. This is a free country, trained professionals can go anywhere they want. What we need are more inuit to train, thereby staying where you are will be good for you.
Try to Get a camera that can automatically turn on
Everytime when a police officer gets out of the vehicle.
Yes, there are actually quiet a few Inuit who were KRPF officlers. Some of them burned out. Others suffered stress from legally dealing with family in addition to relations and community closeness..
We have to own up to these problems before accusing others.
We are lucky in Nunavik to have young educated professionals coming in to help the society. Just reading the article and seeing that now there will be some coming in from Ontario to be police. Thats so great. And not many inuit taking the jobs as police , maybe because of family and friends that has to be dealt with. But its not only policing, inuit are not taking many professional jobs period. So again , lets be thankful for those that made a choice to come to Nunavik. Many of these professionals dont have to come to Nunavik. They can go wherever they choose.
Wonderful news, to allow krpf better equipment, and more involvement. Its time that impaired driving come to an end. I think we all know too well the numbers are staggering. Its not only not safe to drive, but anyone walking are in great danger of being injured or killed, you know I’m not kidding right? It speaks for itself. Plus impaired and speeding drivers are injured with life time complications, very life changing. Having to live out life being care for by family and nursing., or they too are victims of fatal accidents. Yes, the time has come. If people cant learn, i say go krpf go, with all your power to help this terrible behaviour stop.
Cultural orientation course created by the police force and a southern institution 😐 This should have been created by Inuit – hope Laval at least hired from the North in creating this or a Nunavik organization assisted in its creation.
I don’t agree with doing this online but it’s often the only course of action since KRPF is already underfunded and under-resourced to be able to provide this in person.
I’m looking forward to seeing the results on the bodycams as it’s something Nunavut may be looking into in the near future.
Inuit creates the igloo, the kayak,. Housing and boats have been in demand from south. What your point.
A cultural & sensitivity orientation course created for Nunavik Inuit by southerners? They tell the historical context of Inuit from a southern perspective & southern perceptions.
Its great to hear names on the radio now of those who have to report to court. Its on the world wide web too. Cameras , public exposed, is the same as inuit have been imposing all the years.