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RCMP Officers in Eastern Arctic Asked to Wear Body Cameras

Wednesday, 3 June 2020 14:19

Nunavut leaders want RCMP officers in Eastern Arctic communities to wear body cameras after video surfaced on social media showing officers using the door of a moving police vehicle to knock an Inuit man to the ground..

A growing number of Nunavut leaders want RCMP officers in Eastern Arctic communities to wear body cameras to make law enforcement safer for everyone concerned.

The mayor of Iqaluit is joining other Arctic leaders calling for RCMP members in Nunavut to wear body cameras.

Kenny Bell said in a statement that cameras would make law enforcement safer for everyone concerned.

Video surfaced on social media on Tuesday showing officers using the door of a moving police vehicle to knock an Inuit man to the ground.

David Qamaniq, a member of the Nunavut legislature, says that's exactly the kind of behaviour that shows the need for monitoring.

Body cameras are also supported by the territory's MP, Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, and its senator, Dennis Patterson.

Concern over the relationship between RCMP and Inuit has been growing in recent years.

The force, which was not immediately available for comment, faces at least two lawsuits over its dealings with Inuit.

The national Inuit women's group recently released a report saying people in the Arctic face systemic racialized policing.
 

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