Nunavik police chief welcomes reform report as review begins

Nunavik’s police chief says he feels positive about about a recent report aimed at reforming the region’s police service but won’t commit to saying whether he believes all of its recommendations are feasible.

Procured by the Kativik Regional Government and released earlier this month, the report makes 35 recommendations for rebuilding public trust in the police service, creating a police training program led by Inuit, and changing hiring requirements to increase Inuit representation.

“My approach to the report is very positive,” chief police Jean-François (Jeff) Bernier said Tuesday in an interview. “But for me, it’s too soon to say this or that recommendation I’m completely against.”

Bernier is the regional government’s representative on the Nunavik Public Security Committee, which is reviewing the report’s findings.

Bernier said the committee, co-led by Makivvik, will meet over the next several months before he presents a formal position on each recommendation at the next regional council meeting in September.

Though he declined to comment on any specific recommendations, Bernier noted that some of them involve Quebec’s Ministry of Public Security, which oversees police services and internal public safety.

In the past year and a half, four people have died in Nunavik in interactions with police.

In November 2024, Joshua Papigatuk died 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 died and her father Andrew Naluktuk was injured in a police-involved shooting in Inukjuak.

The bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, which investigates cases where people are injured or killed during contact with police, has sent its reports into all four cases to Quebec’s Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions.

No announcement has been made on whether charges will be laid.

“Four fatal shootings in such a short period of time must really affect the public and the police service as well,” Bernier said in French. “I don’t know a single police officer who wakes up in the morning and says, ‘My goal today is to get involved in a dramatic event where lives are at stake.’”

But the lack of updates on the four cases has further eroded public trust in police and the justice system, Bernier added.

With plans to visit all 14 communities for a second time starting in September, Bernier said he is convinced public safety can improve by working transparently with people on the ground.

In addition, a new executive adviser position to the police chief will be launched in the coming weeks.

The successful Inuk candidate will advise Bernier and serve as a voice for Nunavimmiut within the police service.