Nunavik’s new police chief promises to be reachable as councillors cite lack of trust
Audit of service nearly complete after three police-involved deaths in a year
Incoming police chief Jean-François Bernier speaks to Kativik Regional Government Thursday. (Photo by Dominique Gené)
Nunavik’s incoming police chief promised to be “reachable” to anyone who wants to talk to the chief, he said, speaking to the Kativik Regional Government council Thursday for the first time.
“I’m happy to be here. I’m proud to be part of the team that has welcomed me,” Jean-François Bernier said at this week’s council meeting being held in Kuujjuaq.
He told KRG councillors he’s dedicated to understanding public safety in the North and helping the Nunavik Police Service provide the best service possible.
“I appreciate the opportunity to engage with the community,” Bernier said.
He has been in policing for 27 years. He started his career in the army for five years before joining the Montreal Police Service.
After two years, he joined Quebec City’s police service and worked in investigations with a focus on narcotics and organized crime. He eventually became deputy director.
Bernier is replacing retiring chief Jean-Pierre Larose. Although the Ministry of Public Security has not formally approved the nomination, council is moving ahead with Bernier’s appointment as interim chief pending that decision.
KRG chairperson Maggie Emudluk welcomed Bernier and spoke about police-related issues affecting Nunavik.
“Policing is an important and challenging issue in the region,” she said. “There’s hardly any more trust in policing.”
On Nov.4, residents of Nunavik marched in memory of Inuit who have died during interactions with police, calling for justice and an end to police brutality.
There have been three police-related civilian deaths in the region since 2024, which prompted KRG to launch a review of the police service.
Emudluk said that review is almost completed.
“I would like to believe that there are going to be positive recommendations coming out of the audit and there will be changes because we have to gain trust from our people again,” she said.
Also on Thursday, deputy chiefs Jean-François Morin and Shaun Longstreet presented their activity reports to council.
There has been a significant decline in Inuit representation in Nunavik’s police service. Of 164 officers, three are Inuit, data from 2025 show.
Kuujjuaq Coun. Jonathan Grenier said historically there were far more Inuit police officers and he hopes to see the numbers increase.
Following the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the Surêté du Quebec and the First Nations implemented a police recruitment program for Indigenous Peoples, according to the Nunavik Police Service website.
Inuit who completed it became special constables. This division was transitioned to the Kativik Regional Police Force in July 1995 and then to the Nunavik Police Service in 2021.
Morin said the end of the program partly contributed to the decline of Inuit police officers.
Longstreet told councillors the police service is working on reviving its cadet program, which will give Inuit the option to enter the Royal Canadian Mounted Police program that Nunavik has used for recruitment.
Grenier also suggested an Inuk commissioner position be created to oversee police administration and operations and report to KRG.
“If we can have that voice there, it would reassure the population,” Grenier said.
Another concern raised by several councillors is that an officer who was involved in May’s police-related shooting in Kangiqsualujjuaq now lives in Kuujjuaq.
“That’s concerning for not only family members but the community as well,” Grenier said.
Mark Annanack was allegedly shot and injured by a police officer. He was taken to the health centre and pronounced dead.
Quebec’s police watchdog has submitted its investigation report into the incident in October. The director of criminal and penal prosecutions will review the report and decide whether charges should be laid against the officers.
Morin said the officer is off the field and working on administrative duties and is not involved with the public.
“He is in Kuujjuaq because he’s a resident of Kuujjuaq,” Morin said. “He doesn’t live in a KRG housing. He has family here.”
THIS IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF NEPOTISM AND PLAYING FAVORITISM. ITS NOT WHAT YOU KNOW ITS WHO YOU KNOW AND WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING FOR FAMILY MEMBERS THAT TRAVEL FROM THE SOUTH TO THE NORTH. AND VISA VERSA… THIS WILL KEEP HAPPENING UNTIL THE INUIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE NORTH WILL INFORM THEIR SOUTHERN HIRED EMPLOYEES THAT IT IS ILLEGAL TO PLAY FAVORITISM AND NEPOTISM IN Nunavik.
Sorry Dude but nepotism is a massive fact of life in Nunavik, whether you are Inuit or kabloonak. Better get used to it.
The sidearms use need to be revisited. As police cruisers are normally a few feet away from where there is a call rifles, rubber bullet arms…. and other tools could be carried in vehicles to be accessed when needed. A night stick, etc. is an effective tool. No one in Nunavik has sidearms, none other than police officers. We do without sidearms, the police can do without sidearms as well.