Nunavik officer charged with assault after BEI probe into Umiujaq incident

A Nunavik police officer appeared in court Monday on assault charges following a BEI investigation into an incident in Umiujaq on Aug. 26, 2025.

Nunavik officer charged with assault after BEI probe

A Nunavik police officer is facing assault and assault with a weapon charges following an investigation by Quebec's police watchdog, Google News CA — Crime (EN) reports.

Officer Raphaël Bernier appeared at the Kuujjuarapik courthouse on Monday, according to a news release from the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI). The alleged offences occurred in Umiujaq, in northern Quebec, on Aug. 26, 2025.

The BEI investigates criminal allegations against police officers when the victim or complainant is a member of a First Nation or Inuit community. The watchdog also holds a mandate over sexual offence allegations against on-duty officers.

BEI spokesperson Jérémie Comtois noted that, unlike independent investigations triggered by serious civilian injury or death during police interventions, details of criminal allegations are only released once an officer has been arrested or has appeared in court — a policy designed to avoid prejudicing proceedings.

As of March 31, 2025, charges had been laid in 31 cases falling under the BEI's criminal allegations mandate, according to Monday's news release.

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)