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 Police Service Primary Response Unit investigation leads to multiple charges

June 30, 2026
TB26025124 A Thunder Bay Police Service Primary Response Unit investigation has resulted in multiple charges. Officers were dispatched to the Victoria Avenue East area on June 29, 2026, just before 9:30 PM in response to reports of individuals using bear spray. On scene, two victims were located and the individuals received treatment from emergency services. One of the individuals was transported to a local hospital for further treatment. The involved suspects had left the scene prior to officers arriving. A search of the area led to six suspects being located and arrested. As a result of the investigation, a 17-year-old of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (two counts) · Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose · Pointing a firearm · Failure to comply with an undertaking A 15-year-old from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (two counts) · Failure to comply with release order A 16-year-old from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (two counts) · Failure to comply with release order A 14-year-old from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (two counts) · Failure to comply with release order An additional 14-year-old from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (two counts) A 17-year-old from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (two counts) The 17-year-old from Thunder Bay who is facing two charges was released from custody with a future court date. The remaining accused were remanded into custody following their first court appearances.  The identity of the accused cannot be released in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Thunder Bay Police Service investigation leads to charges

June 30, 2026
TB26024150, TB26024243 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation has led to charges. On June 23, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Unit began an investigation following a call for service regarding a stolen vehicle. Further investigation led to a stolen vehicle being located later that same day, and a suspect being identified. Officers with the Community Oriented Response and Engagement Unit located and arrested the suspect while on patrol as part of Project Support on June 24, 2026. Further investigation determined that the accused was also connected to an additional active investigation, leading to additional charges. As a result of both investigation, 32-year-old Christian NEEKAN from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (two counts) • Operation while prohibited (two counts) • Fail to comply with a probation order(two counts) • Theft of motor vehicle • Break, enter a place to commit indictable offence • Driving while under suspension (two counts) (Highway Traffic Act) The accused was remanded into custody following their first court appearance.

Thunder Bay Police Service investigation leads to seizure of an estimated $380,000 in suspected illicit drugs, firearm

June 29, 2026
TB26024146 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation has led to the seizure of suspected illicit drugs and a firearm. On June 23, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Unit responded to a business on Memorial Avenue in response to a call for service regarding an individual who may have been in possession of a firearm. Further investigation and a search of the area led to a suspect being identified, located, and arrest. The Intelligence Unit became involved in the investigation. A search of the suspect led to the seizure of a revolver style handgun, over 1.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, and over $5,000 in cash. As a result of the investigation, 22-year-old Jasiah MCNICOLLS of Richmond Hill is facing the following charges: • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – (opioid) • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm • Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm • Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm • Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with The accused was remanded into custody following their first court appearance with a future court date.