Kenton Pike Becomes Nunavut RCMP’s New Commanding Officer

Chief Superintendent Kenton Pike has officially assumed command of the Nunavut RCMP, becoming the 10th officer to hold the position. The change of command ceremony took place Wednesday at the RCMP hangar in Iqaluit.

Pike, also known as Kent, has spent most of his career serving in remote northern communities. He described his first posting in Labrador as a formative experience, saying it sparked his “love affair with northern policing.”

His career began in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, in 2002. He later served in multiple communities across the province before moving to Inuvik, Northwest Territories, in 2009. Pike stayed there until 2022, when he relocated to Iqaluit as officer in charge of criminal operations, before officially taking command in October.

“We often hear of members who come to the North for a variety of reasons. I like to think I stayed for the right reason—to help people and effect positive change,” Pike said.

Pike succeeds former Chief Supt. Andrew Blackadar, who left earlier this year for a role with the Nunavut Department of Justice. Blackadar praised Pike’s knowledge of northern communities and culture, noting it will help him as he assumes leadership.

Pike outlined his priorities, including employee wellness, transparency, and accountability, particularly in the context of reconciliation with Inuit communities. A key focus is increasing Inuit representation in the RCMP in Nunavut. Currently, only four of the 157 officers—roughly 2 percent—are Inuit.

RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme emphasized the importance of recruiting locally, highlighting the need for the force to reflect the communities it serves. He also noted that delays in processing applications have slowed recruitment, with some prospective officers waiting over a year before training. A pilot project launching in February aims to reduce this to six months.

The ceremony also recognized Const. Inuuki Burke, one of the few Inuit officers, who graduated from training in January and was posted to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.