Regional Council and Québec Deputy Premier gather to witness swearing-in and Oath of Office of Nunavik’s new Chief of Police

June 1, 2026

During the quarterly meeting of the Regional Council, Ian Lafrenière, Deputy Premier of Québec, and Maggie Emudluk, Chairperson of the Kativik Regional Government (KRG), presided over ceremonies marking the swearing-in of Jean-François (Jeff) Bernier as new Chief of Police of the Nunavik Police Service (NPS).

"I would like to thank Deputy Premier Lafrenière for working closely with the KRG leadership to confirm Jeff Bernier's appointment as NPS Chief. Over the past several months, we have seen positive signs of Chief Bernier's willingness to visit communities and to listen to policing concerns across Nunavik. We are encouraged by his resolve to work with Nunavik's Inuit leaders to dismantle systemic barriers to safe and effective policing, and to tackle major criminal activity that threatens the safety and well-being of Nunavimmiut in their communities."
– Maggie Emudluk, Chairperson, Kativik Regional Government

"I am proud to have officially sworn in Jean-François Bernier as Chief of the Nunavik Police Services. It was a deeply symbolic moment to have that ceremony before the Regional Council, and I was touched to hear their testimonies about Mr. Bernier's leadership. I commend Mr. Bernier's initiative to visit all 14 villages and increase trust with the communities he serves."
– Ian Lafrenière, Deputy Premier, Minister of Domestic Security, and Minister Responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit

"My solemn duty and commitment as Chief of the Nunavik Police Service is to sustain a respectful, ethical and inclusive police service where every Nunavimmiut in every community feels safe, protected and well served. I look forward to working with Nunavik's Inuit leadership to restore trust in policing, and to building a new foundation of support among Nunavik residents that helps us to work together to reduce community violence and major criminal activity."
– Jean-Francois Bernier, Chief, Nunavik Police Service