January 19, 2026
Fredericton, NB – Following is a statement from National Police Federation President and C.E.O., Brian Sauvé, regarding the police incident that occurred in Tobique First Nation (Neqotkuk) on the evening of January 18, 2026.
“We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred in Tobique First Nation (Neqotkuk) last night.
Although RCMP Members are highly trained in responding to threats to their own lives and those of bystanders, no police officer begins their shift expecting to be involved in a high-risk call concluding with a tragic loss of life. Incidents of this nature have a lasting impact on the RCMP Members involved, their families, loved ones, and the communities in which they serve.
The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. That independent process exists to establish the facts, including those related to police actions, and it is important that we allow the investigation to proceed without speculation or misinformation until this critical work is complete and the findings are released.
The National Police Federation supports our Members during this difficult time. They are often placed in challenging and unpredictable situations while working to protect the communities they serve, and they deserve a fair, thorough, and timely review and outcome.”
About the National Police Federation:
The National Police Federation (NPF) represents ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally. We are the largest police union in Canada. The NPF is focused on improving public safety for all Canadians, including our Members by advocating for much-needed investment in the public safety continuum. This includes investments in police resourcing and modern equipment, as well as social programs including health, addiction, and housing supports to enhance safety and livability in the many communities we serve, large and small, across Canada.
For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/
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Sarah Kavanagh
Communications and Media Relations Advisor
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