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Yvonne Niego leaving RCMP to join Nunavut's justice department

Yvonne Niego leaving RCMP to join Nunavut's justice department

The Nunavut Department of Justice's new assistant deputy minister is a familiar face for the territory's justice system.

Yvonne Niego, an RCMP officer for more than 20 years, will start a new job in government Sept. 21, Premier Peter Taptuna announced Friday.

In a news release, Taptuna said Niego "will be an invaluable asset to the Department of Justice. Her experience within our community and Nunavut's justice system will make an impressive contribution to the senior management team. She brings knowledge, skills and abilities that complement the vision of justice within our territory."

Niego is originally from Baker Lake, and was the first Inuk woman to complete training at the RCMP depot in Regina. She has worked as a frontline police officer and in community policing and drug prevention programs.

More recently, Niego served as RCMP V Division's media spokesperson and as a crisis negotiator.

Earlier this year Niego received a community service award from the International Association of Women Police.