Arrest of woman by Nunavik police reflects disturbing attitude towards Inuit, advocates say
CBC
Nunavik's Inuit Women's Association says the way police dealt with an arrest in Salluit last month reflects a growing disconnect between the police service and the Inuit communities they serve.
A video of the incident on July 18 shows a woman being pulled out of her car window, and into police custody, all while witnesses yell, "she's having a seizure".
Nancianne Grey, Saturviit's executive director, said she understands the woman had allegedly committed some crimes, but outside of that, the video shows a disturbing attitude toward the Inuk woman.
"It's evident that she's having a seizure, and they still didn't look like they cared," she said.
"There seems to be more and more of a gap between the police services and Inuit in the villages."
The 24-year-old woman at the centre of the incident faces a range of charges, including impaired driving, car theft, and assaulting a police officer.
Her lawyer declined to comment.
Quebec's Bureau of Independent Investigations said it is investigating the incident, which is protocol whenever a complaint of criminal nature about a police officer is laid by a person who is First Nations or Inuit.
From conversations she's had with people across Nunavik, Grey said the consensus is that police officers nowadays aren't as connected to the communities they serve.
The Nunavik Police Service (NPS) has undergone several structural changes over the past few decades. Prior to 2021, it was known as the Kativik Regional Police Force, and before 1995, policing was done by the provincial service, the Sûreté du Québec.
"The Kativik Regional Police Force used to be more friendly with locals. There was more friendship and respect. At least that's what I felt 15 years ago," Grey said.
She said officers back then were generally older and more experienced, whereas officers with the NPS now don't usually stick around in Nunavik's communities for long.
"They have a different way of responding to violent situations from what I've seen in the past," she said.
Only two of 111 officers with the NPS are Inuit. NPS said a third Inuk officer is currently in training.
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