August 2025

August 6, 2025

The Primary Response Branch represents the members most often in contact with people in need of police support - front-line Patrol Platoons, Emergency Task Unit, Canine Unit, the IMPACT Unit and Traffic Unit, the call-back unit and front desk. 


2024 police-reported crime


This month, Statistics Canada released the police-reported crime data for 2024. The detailed Main Metrics include:


Crime counts: Total number of incidents reported.

Crime rates: Number of incidents per 100,000 population.

Crime Severity Index (CSI), which measures how often crimes happen and how severe they are, from year to year.


Thunder Bay's average is higher than both the province and the national averages for crime severity. TBPS continues to have clearance rates above the national average, which indicate how effectively our dedicated members are addressing violent crimes. Clearance rates refer to the percentage of reported crimes that are investigated and result in charges laid. 


The non-violent crime severity index includes such crimes as property and drug offences. 


Fort William First Nation flag raising


In July, TBPS held its annual raising of the Fort William First Nation flag outside of our Balmoral Street station.


This serves as an important acknowledgement that we're tasked with serving and protecting land that is the traditional territory of Fort William First Nation, signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850.


We're honoured that Fort William First Nation Chief Michele Solomon took the time to join us, and grateful to Elder Celina Reitberger for offering us an opening prayer and song. We are committed to continuing to advance reconciliation and strengthen our relationship with Fort William First Nation. We value our partnership to keep our communities safe.


Camp Loon


Members of our Operational Support Branch spent a week in July volunteering at Camp Loon, a great leadership and life-skills training camp led by the Canadian Rangers. 


Our members again brought the On Target archery program to the camp. The program teaches archery principles, including proper form, shot execution and follow-through.


Many of the Camp Loon participants are from northern communities, and this camp gives our members the opportunity to build relationships with participants before they visit or move to Thunder Bay.


Getting started in policing


Create a real, lasting change in your community: protect, support, and inspire. Whether you apply through our cadet program or as an experienced officer, answers to your questions can be found at: https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/careers


Generally, applicants need to meet a few key criteria:


Physical fitness: You will need to demonstrate a basic level of fitness and submit a two-week fitness log.


Vision & hearing standards: Applicants must meet specific medical benchmarks to ensure safe and effective performance on the job.


First aid & CPR Certification: You will need valid certification by the time a job offer is made. 


Valid driver’s licence: A valid Ontario driver’s license is required to apply. 


Clean criminal record: All applicants undergo a background check as part of the process. 


Strong Communication & Integrity: Clear thinking, empathy and sound judgment are key to success in this role.


Update from the Thunder Bay Police Service Board


Quarterly Report 


The Board has published its Q2 Report. You can read about the Board’s second-quarter accomplishments and progress here: https://thunderbaypsb.ca/transparency-and-accountability/


New Executive Director


This summer, the Thunder Bay Police Service Board will announce the hiring of a new Executive Director. The full-time Executive Director role will replace the current part-time Board Administrator/Secretary position, vacated by longtime public servant John Hannam, who is retiring. The need for this position was first identified in the 2018 Sinclair Report by the late Senator Murray Sinclair, who recommended the role due to the breadth of work required by the Board. The Board looks forward to sharing details of the new hire soon!


Community Support


The Board is proud to support and sponsor Wabshkaa Animkii Benesii (WAB), a grassroots, Indigenous-led, after-school and summer program located at Sherbrooke School, in the amount of $3,000.


Since the program’s launch in April 2022, WAB has provided land-based learning, cultural teachings, and creative workshops for more than sixty children and youth throughout the summer months. 


Programming includes:


  • Traditional teachings from Elders and Knowledge Holders.
  • Regalia-making, sewing, and beading.
  • Daily home-cooked meals and snacks.
  • …amongst other activities.


The program focuses on nurturing leadership, self-identity, and healing for Indigenous children, many of whom are living with intergenerational trauma, food insecurity, and disconnection from culture.


Thunder Bay cyber crime investigation leads to charges

February 11, 2026
TB25028861 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation into Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (CSAEM) has led to charges. Thunder Bay’s Cyber Crime Unit began the investigation on July 21, 2025, after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), via the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC). Officers searched a home on Thunder Bay’s south end on November 28, 2025. Several electronic devices were seized. As a result of the investigation, 28-year-old Jayden Belanger from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material • Access any child sexual abuse and exploitation material The accused has been released from custody with a future court date. The Thunder Bay Police Service recognizes that parents and caregivers are the frontline when it comes to protecting children on the Internet and electronic devices. We encourage you to remain vigilant in your efforts. Tips for talking to your kids can be found, and reporting of any online exploitation can also be made, at Canada’s National Tipline for Reporting the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children at cybertip.ca. There are also resources available through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for those who have a sexual interest in children. The new Talking for Change ( https://talkingforchange.ca/ ) program is the first of its kind in Canada and provides national and all-ages help for those concerned about their risk to use child sexual exploitation material or offend sexually against a child. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Joel Manherz at (807) 684-1200 ext. 4115. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com .

Police investigation on Thunder Bay’s south end leads to charges

February 10, 2026
TB26005280 A Thunder Bay Police investigation has led to charges. Officers with the Primary Response Unit responded to a call for service on Thunder Bay’s south end on February 9, 2026, in response to possible voyeurism. During the investigation it was determined that a hidden camera had been installed in a home while a suspect was providing renovation work. Further investigation led to a suspect being located and arrested. As a result, 44-year-old James, JAATINEN from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Voyeurism • Mischief – Obstruct, interrupts or interferes with any person in lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property The accused has been released from custody with a future court date. The Cyber Crime Unit is involved in the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Joel Manherz at (807) 684-1200 ext. 4115. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com . 

Thunder Bay Police Service investigating criminal harassment

February 7, 2026
TB26003763, TB26003756, TB26004039 The Thunder Bay Police Service is continuing an investigation into criminal harassment. Officers began an investigation into a suspicious vehicle on January 28, 2026, following multiple reports about the vehicle – a silver older model of Dodge Ram pickup truck. A person in the same truck has been seen attempting to pick up females in Thunder Bay’s downtown cores. The driver is described as an Indigenous male, roughly 40-50 years-old, with a heavy build and a shaved head. The Major Crime Unit, Community Oriented Response and Engagement Unit (CORE), and the Break and Enter and Armed Robbery (BEAR) Unit became involved in the ongoing investigation. Officers with the BEAR Unit located and arrested a suspect in the case on January 30, 2026. The Thunder Bay Police Service is looking for other victims that may have been impacted. A tip line (807) - 701 - 5417 has been established. Those providing information to the tip line must include their name and phone number so investigators can follow up. If you wish to provide information anonymously, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at www.p3tips.com.