December 2025

December 8, 2025

Your Questions Answered:

 

Q. Why are there repeat offenders out committing crimes?

 

A. A new “Bail and Sentencing Reform Act” aims to increase public safety and make it more difficult for people to reoffend. It is under consideration by Parliament. Many people – including police - are frustrated when they see repeat offenders.

 

After police lay charges, release decisions are made by the courts.

Police leaders across Ontario, including ours, support bail reform to better address repeat and high-risk offenders. In the meantime, we continue to lay charges, request appropriate release conditions, and work with justice and community partners to help prevent further crime.

 

Q. If police know about a house where drugs are being sold, why can’t they just shut it down?

 

A. Police work hard to address drug-related activity in neighbourhoods. Police need solid, lawful evidence that meets the requirements for warrants and charges that will hold up in court. It helps to get calls from the community about suspected drug activity.

 

Sometimes, even after arrests, drug activity can continue because:

  • New people take over, especially in organized groups.
  • The property can’t be seized even though arrests were made. Landlords must follow their own legal steps.
  • Accused individuals may be released while awaiting trial and return to the same place.


Your Voice Matters in the TBPS Citizen Satisfaction Survey

 

A Citizen Satisfaction Survey about the Thunder Bay Police Service is now open. If you see an online invitation to complete the survey, you’re encouraged to take part. Every response helps ensure the sample reflects the diversity of the Thunder Bay community.

 

Anyone can take the survey at https://surveys.zencity.io/thunder-bay-ps/CtAdnO/en?s=sd 

 

Survey responses build understanding of the needs and concerns of residents to make the best decisions for our future. Feedback from past surveys has already informed important initiatives – including the new Strategic Plan. This year’s results will guide operational decisions and help ensure the Strategic Plan is on track and meaningful.

Stay Informed — Follow Us on Social Media

 

Recently, we posted a media release about arrests related to a child pornography investigation. Within just one hour, it had 14,000 views — and 90% of those early views came directly from our followers. As the post was shared, more non-followers eventually saw it, but our followers were the first to know.


If you want timely updates about arrests, investigations, community safety initiatives, and what’s happening across the Thunder Bay Police Service, make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram.

 


Answering the Call: TBPS new recruits


Deputy Chief – Operations Ryan Hughes welcomed eight new officer recruits who recently joined TBPS, choosing a meaningful and rewarding career in public service. Please join us in welcoming them as they begin their training and prepare to serve our community with professionalism and integrity.

 

Interested in Answering the Call? If you’re ready for a rewarding and meaningful career and want to learn more about:

·        our cadet program

·        joining as an experienced officer

·        becoming a Communications Operator

·        civilian opportunities

 

Visit Careers in Policing | Thunder Bay Police Service | Thunderbay. You can also reach out to recruitment@thunderbaypolice.ca.


Update from The Thunder Bay Police Service Board

 

Announcement of New, First-Ever Executive Director

 

The Board is pleased to announce Mark Figliomeni as the Board’s inaugural, full-time, Executive Director, effective December 1st.

 

“We are delighted that Mark has joined our team,” said Karen Machado, Board Chair. “His deep experience in government and administration, along with his strong ties to Thunder Bay, make him an outstanding fit to support the Board in fulfilling its mandate.”


Figliomeni was interviewed by TBT News following the announcement:

 

“I'm happy to be named to the role and again honoured and very much look forward to working with the Board, with the community, and the Service.”

 

Figliomeni looks forward to engaging with the communities, and further strengthening relationships with Thunder Bay's diverse communities, the Service, and the Board:

 

"Fostering those relationships—I believe relationships are vital to any position particularly one at a senior leadership level. So again— meeting and assisting the Board and the Service with the transparency piece, with the governance and policy, and with the community stakeholder relationships that can be built with all stakeholders in the community.”


Read the full announcement by clicking here.


First Board Meeting for New Member 

 

The Board is pleased to welcome Laird Van Damme to the Board for a two-year appointment, effective October 23rd. Van Damme was appointed by the Province of Ontario. 


Read the full announcement by clicking here.


Tree of Hope Lighting Ceremony - November 16th.


Board Members Cllr. Kasey Etreni (pictured here with Chief Fleury) and Mayor Ken Boshcoff were honoured to participate in the annual Tree of Hope Lighting Ceremony, with community members and special guests.

 

This solemn and symbolic event honours Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ people. 

 

Now in its seventh year, the ceremony began in Thunder Bay in 2019, inspired by the vision and determination of now retired Constable Sharlene Bourdeau. 

 

Each light on the Tree represents a life—one of the more than 1,200 to 5,000 Indigenous women and girls who are missing or have been murdered in Canada. 

 

Learn more about the Tree of Hope by clicking here.


Charges laid following drug trafficking investigation

February 12, 2026
TB26005531 A Thunder Bay Police Service drug trafficking investigation has led to charges. Officers with the Intelligence Unit with the assistance of the Emergency Task Unit searched a home on Syndicate Avenue North on February 10, 2026. During the search, two individuals in the home were arrested. Suspected cocaine and fentanyl were also seized along with more than $5,000 in cash. As a result of the investigation, 20-year-old Nash JAAZANIAH from Toronto and 65-year-old Cliffton GRATZKI from Thunder Bay are facing the following charges: • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – opioid • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Obstruct peace officer Both accused are being held in custody with a future court date.

Robbery investigation leads to charges

February 12, 2026
TB25037456, TB25050666, TB26000165, and TB25042394 Charges have been laid following a Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) investigation into two robberies on Thunder Bay’s north end. Officers received a report of a robbery taking place on Cumberland Street South just after noon on December 30, 2025. Officers spoke to staff and determined there were no injuries, and that the suspect had left the scene. TBPS Break and Enter, Armed Robbery (BEAR) Unit became involved in the ongoing investigation. On January 2, 2026, officers responded to a separate business in the Algoma Street area in response to another robbery that was in progress. When officers responded to the area, the suspect had already left the scene. Further investigation led to the BEAR Unit identifying a suspect. The suspect was located and arrested on January 30, 2026, by the TBPS Emergency Task Unit with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police. As a result of the investigation, 64-year-old Anthony FRIZZELL of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Robbery with theft • Disguise with intent (two counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (three counts) • Robbery with violence (two counts) • Assault causing bodily harm • Uttering threats – cause death or bodily harm • Forcible confinement • Cruelty to animals – unnecessary pain, suffering or injury Some of these charges were laid in connection to outstanding warrants, not directly related to the December 30, 2025, and January 2, 2026, robberies. The accused was remanded into custody after their first court appearance.

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 .