August 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.
