December 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.
The next Board meeting is December 16th, 2025.
Watch next month’s meeting LIVE: https://video.isilive.ca/thunderbay/live.html
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.
