February 2026

February 18, 2026

Online Reporting: freeing officers to focus on urgent incidents

 

Since launching a new online reporting service last February, the Thunder Bay Police Service has become a national leader in the use of the technology. The reporting platform allows more types of non-emergency incidents to be reported online from anywhere, while making it easier for users to upload photos or videos as evidence.

 

The system redirects thousands of calls away from frontline response, freeing officers to focus on urgent incidents. 677 online reports were submitted in January, 2026.

“This is a good example of one of the many ways we enhance efficiency,” noted Chief Darcy Fleury. “The community has access to a convenient reporting tool, and officers can focus on priority responses.” 

 

People can use the online portal to report theft, vandalism, fraud, traffic violations, and missing identification. The platform also allows people to have links to specific report types sent directly to them by text message. Users receive a confirmation once the report has been submitted and can choose to receive updates on the status of their report.

 

Daniyar Akhmedjanov, Co-founder of Rubicon - the online reporting platform – was recently in Thunder Bay to see how our team members have grown the system. “TBPS has built one of the most developed virtual/alternate response operations in the country – so we came to learn from the best (and bring those lessons back to other agencies),” he said. 




Your Questions Answered:

 

Q. Why do we keep seeing the same people arrested and then released?

 


A. This is a question many people are asking, and our officers are just as frustrated as the public when repeat offenders are released and continue to commit crimes. In Canada, bail is a Charter-protected right. Bail decisions are made by the courts, and the law generally starts from a position of release.

 

Current bail laws don’t always account for repeat behaviour.

 

Police services across Ontario – including ours - are calling for targeted bail reforms to protect rights and protect public safety. This includes changes to close gaps that allow the same individuals to reoffend while on release:

  • Stronger bail rules for repeat violent offenders
  • Real consequences for repeatedly breaching bail conditions
  • Better protection for victims of intimate partner violence
  • Greater scrutiny for gun crimes and organized crime

 

Q. Someone broke into my property and stole something. Will police come to investigate? 

 

A. Police responses are prioritized. While every call is important, a high demand for service means police must focus first where there is a real and immediate threat to peoples’ safety. If the break-in is discovered after the fact and no suspect is on scene, it’s considered lower priority. That is because officers are needed at active calls that include violence where the accused is present and there is a risk to public safety/victims, and mental health crisis calls.

 

What usually happens:

  • You’re asked to file an online report so the crime is logged and reviewed.
  • The report is used for insurance, crime tracking, and intelligence, as well as to identify the accused person who committed the crime.
  • If an officer is assigned and if new information or evidence is discovered (a suspect, recovered property, usable video, links to other crimes), you will typically be contacted.
  • Many break and enters are ultimately solved through property recovery, surveillance footage, or repeat-offender investigations, not scene attendance alone.

 

We have a team of highly skilled investigators who are assigned to investigate these crimes; the BEAR (Break, Enter, and Robbery) Unit has an extremely high success rate in solving these crimes by identifying suspects.

 

In January, 2026, the BEAR Unit issued 40 charges and made seven arrests. Even more charges and arrests initiated by BEAR were made by officers in other units. 

 

Experiencing a break and enter can be frightening and frustrating. Police attendance at a break and enter depends on risk, solvability, and public safety. Even when police don’t attend, reporting still matters — it supports insurance claims, helps identify crime patterns, and can connect your case to larger investigations if stolen property is recovered.

Submit your question anytime to news@thunderbaypolice.ca

Update from The Thunder Bay Police Service Board

 

 

 

Passing of Former Service Member Donna Delvecchio

 

The Board acknowledges the passing of Donna Delvecchio (Murphy), a former Service member whose career marked several historic firsts in local policing. Delvecchio was the first female police constable in the Lakehead region, and later, became Ontario's first female Staff Sergeant.

 

The Board recognizes and salutes Delvecchio for her years of public service, steadfast commitment to community safety, and trailblazing contributions to women in policing.

 

We extend our condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.

 

Governance Committee Year-In-Review

 

At the January Board meeting, Governance Committee Chair Denise Baxter advised the Board of the Committee’s progress and achievements for 2025, including:

• 20 new policies approved and developed by the Board

• 1 policy amendment developed and approved by the Board

• 1 by-law amendment developed and approved by the Board

• 12 meetings held

• 1 new member welcomed


 Service 2026 Operating Budget

 

The Board is pleased that Council accepted the Service’s request for a 9.1% budget increase to the 2026 operating budget. The budget passed with an 11-1 vote and was ratified on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

 

The Board is satisfied that this budget will enable the Service to effectively carry out its role and uphold its commitment to community safety, while meeting the needs and priorities identified through public consultations.

 

Board 2025 Budget Update

 

The budget is generally on track, with the exception of the “Legal Fees – Indemnification” account. Under certain agreements, the Board may be required to cover legal costs for members of the Thunder Bay Police Service. Recent activity, which is higher than usual, has resulted in additional costs beyond the Board’s control. Based on what has been spent and what is expected, it is likely that 2025 will end with a budget shortfall in this area.

 

Board Meeting

 

The Board welcomes members of the public and media to attend each meeting in -person, at Board Headquarters at 1111 Victoria Ave E, Unit #102. Alternatively, members of the public and media may view Board meetings ‘live’ via the Board’s livestream: http://video.isilive.ca/thunderbay/live.html

 

Board Meetings are also broadcast ‘live’ locally on Rogers TV Thunder Bay (Channel 10 and 105 for Rogers Cable subscribers.)

 

The next Board meeting is Tuesday March 17, 2026

 

Drug trafficking investigation leads to charges

March 30, 2026
A Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) investigation has resulted in multiple arrests and charges. On March 27, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Unit were sent to a home on Ogden Street in response to a call for service. The TBPS Intelligence Unit became involved in the investigation. As part of the investigation, officers searched a home in the area. During the search of the home officers located and seized a handgun, suspected cocaine, cash, and other items associated with drug trafficking. As a result of the investigation, 35-year-old Lindberg BAXTER of Thunder Bay and 35-year-old Jordan BEAUDOIN of Thunder Bay are facing the following charges: • Assault (two counts) • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 • Unauthorized possession of weapon • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm • Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition • Careless storage of firearm, weapon, or prohibited device (two counts) • Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order (two counts) • Forcible confinement BEAUDOIN has also been charged with fail to comply with a probation order. Natasha MENEANO-CHEESEQUAY, a 34-year-old of Thunder Bay is also facing the following charges: • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 • Unauthorized possession of weapon • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm • Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition • Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition • Fail to comply with probation order All three of the accused were remanded into custody after their first court appearance.

Charges laid following cyber crime investigation

March 26, 2026
TB25020936 The Thunder Bay Police Service is looking to identify potential additional victims following a Cyber Crime Unit and Major Crime Unit investigation. Following a report of an adult soliciting illicit images from a minor in the city, an investigation led to a suspect being identified. As part of the investigation, on February 25, 2026, officers searched a home on Thunder Bay’s north end. During the search a number of electronic devices and a vehicle were seized. On March 12, 2026, the suspect was located and arrested by the Thunder Bay Police Service Break Enter Armed Robbery Unit (BEAR). As a result of the investigation, 28-year-old Matthew STEWART of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Luring a person under 18 years of age by means of telecommunication • Sexual interference • Invitation to sexual touching under 16 years of age • Sexual assault on a person under 16 years of age • Luring a person under 16 years of age by means of telecommunication (three counts) The accused was remanded into custody after their first court appearance. Anyone who has experienced concerning activity involving the Snapchat accounts Johnnysnowpl4ug or MattStew456 is asked to contact police. The Thunder Bay Police Service is continuing to investigate the matter and is looking to identify additional potential victims. 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. 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.

Thunder Bay Police Service Tip Line Closing March 31

March 24, 2026
TB26003763, TB26003756 & TB26004039 A tip line (807 - 701 – 5417) established to assist with a criminal harassment investigation will close on March 31, 2026, at 4:00 P.M. The tip line was established in response to an investigation into a suspicious vehicle, following multiple reports about the vehicle – a silver older model of Dodge Ram pickup truck. Thank you to all those who have provided information to assist investigators. Officers with the Break and Enter and Armed Robbery (BEAR) Unit located and arrested a suspect in the case on January 30, 2026. Residents who have experienced similar incidents are asked to contact the tip line. Those providing tips must include their name and phone number when providing information to the dedicated tip line so that 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 .