Nunavik officer Raphaël Bernier charged with assault after BEI probe in Umiujaq

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

Nunavik officer charged with assault after Quebec watchdog investigation

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

Officer Raphaël Bernier appeared at the Kuujjuarapik courthouse on Monday, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) confirmed in a news release. 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 handles allegations of sexual offences committed by on-duty officers.

BEI spokesperson Jérémie Comtois noted that, unlike independent investigations opened when a civilian is seriously injured or killed during a police intervention, details of criminal allegations are only released once an officer has been arrested or has appeared in court, to avoid compromising proceedings.

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

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)