RCMP officer accused of on-duty assault in Nunavut facing criminal charges

Nunavut RCMP say an officer is facing three criminal charges after an alleged assault while he was on duty.

Const. Luke Tomkinson has been charged with assault with a weapon, pointing a firearm and uttering threats.

RCMP say he was working as a relief member in Arctic Bay when the alleged assault happened in 2020.

The hamlet is located on the northern end of Baffin Island and is home to about 1,000 people.

The force says in a release that the conduct of officers is paramount in maintaining the trust of communities they serve.

It says the allegations against Tomkinson do not reflect the integrity of its members or what the service stands for.

Tomkinson’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 3 in Iqaluit.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2023.