Nunavik Police Service: A New Name, a New Vision on the Eve of 25th Anniversary

The Kativik Regional Police Force will now be known as the Nunavik Police Service, a change in name that reflects the new policing vision and increased desire for greater community collaboration with the 14 villages in the region.

​The Kativik Regional Police Force will now be known as the Nunavik Police Service, a change in name that reflects the new policing vision and increased desire for greater community collaboration with the 14 villages in the region. ​

The Kativik Regional Government Council adopted the new name on Wednesday during its regular winter meeting. The new name sets the stage for a series of events marking the 25th anniversary of the creation of the police service in Nunavik in 1996.

For the Chief of Police Jean-Pierre Larose, the Nunavik Police Service (NPS) is entering a new era. "The name of this police department did not reflect the modern vision I believe this department must embrace for the future," Chief Larose told councillors during the KRG meeting.

He argued that the police service must embrace the identity of the territory it covers.  This explains the decision to replace "Kativik" by the name "Nunavik". Excluding the word "Force" from the name was an attempt to eliminate any reference to aggressive or repressive actions often unfairly associated with police interventions. The new name also underscores the commitment to Nunavimmiut to serve and protect the residents and their land by offering an unparalleled community policing service.

The NPS will pursue its mandate to maintain peace, order and public security, prevent and repress crime, ensure the safety of the residents of Nunavik and safeguard their rights and freedoms though close cooperation with the community in a way that respects the Inuit culture and way of life.

The new name will be introduced gradually on the uniforms, police cruisers, office stationery, etc. Over time, a new logo will also replace the current one but will done in such a way to limit costs and confusion for the population.