January 2026
Multi-unit calls on the rise
There has been a steady growth in the number of times multiple officers are needed to respond to a call for service.
Some calls involve a higher risk of harm to the people involved, bystanders, or officers. When there is a possibility of violence, weapons, heightened emotions, or multiple people at a scene, sending more than one officer helps ensure everyone’s safety.
Generally, two or more officers respond to calls such as:
- Weapons-related calls
- Domestic or intimate partner disputes
- Mental health or wellness concerns
- Situations where an arrest may be required
- Disturbances involving several people
These calls can change quickly. Having more than one officer allows police to better manage the situation. While multi-unit responses impact the number of officers available to respond to other calls for service, they support de-escalation and safe, respectful interactions. Some calls involve a higher risk of harm to the people involved, bystanders, or officers. When there is a possibility of violence, weapons, heightened emotions, or multiple people at a scene, sending more than one officer helps ensure everyone’s safety.
Generally, two or more officers respond to calls such as:
- Weapons-related calls
- Domestic or intimate partner disputes
- Mental health or wellness concerns
- Situations where an arrest may be required
- Disturbances involving several people
These calls can change quickly. Having more than one officer allows police to better manage the situation. While multi-unit responses impact the number of officers available to respond to other calls for service, they support de-escalation and safe, respectful interactions.
Why We’re Asking for More Police Resources — and What It Means for Our Community
We know that asking for a budget increase is not easy. It comes from city taxes, and residents deserve to understand why it’s needed and what it delivers.
The bottom line is that the community is asking for more police resources, experts agree they’re needed, and the data shows real public safety results.
The message from the community is clear.
- 88% of respondents said the most important actions to improve safety are more police presence and faster response times (TBPS 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey).
- Residents identified crime as the most important issue facing the city that should receive Council’s attention (City of Thunder Bay 2022 – most recent - Citizen Satisfaction Survey).
- An independent external consultant has also recommended increasing the number of front-line officers.
We use public funds efficiently.
- In 2024, the average cost per call for service was $1,030. That’s lower than comparable police services, and much less than other emergency services.
- Despite tight budgets, our clearance and weighted rates are better than provincial and national averages – meaning more — and more serious — crimes are being solved.
Why now?
- Efficiency has limits. As call volumes rise and complexity increases, there comes a point when doing more with less is no longer sustainable.
-Smart growth starts with safety. To attract new businesses and residents, Thunder Bay must be safe—and as our city grows, our police service must grow with it. Today, we are policing a population larger than the one we are funded to serve.
-This budget request is about keeping pace with community needs, protecting public safety, and maintaining strong results.
Your Questions Answered:
Q: Do police officers pursue vehicles?
A: Their priority is always public safety. Strict safety procedures are used to decide whether to pursue a vehicle. Officers assess the seriousness of the offence, traffic, weather, road conditions, and pedestrian activity before engaging. If the risk is too high, they won’t pursue.
If a pursuit begins, officers and supervisors constantly reassess conditions and will slow down or stop the pursuit if it becomes unsafe.
Other tactics are used to avoid a chase —such as gathering licence plate information, coordinating with other units, or following up later.
Officers receive specialized training in safe emergency driving.
Q: Does this mean people who refuse to stop will “get away with it”?
A: The goal is to hold people accountable while keeping the community safe. Choosing not to stop for police is a serious offence. Officers may use safe and effective methods to identify and arrest the person at a later time rather than engage in a risky pursuit.
Using tools such as licence plate readers, in-car video, witness accounts, coordinated units, and follow-up investigations, officers can identify the driver without putting the public at unnecessary risk. In most cases, the person is safely arrested shortly after the incident.
Looking to make a difference every day in your community? Answer the Call.
At the Thunder Bay Police Service, you don’t just work. You protect, support, and inspire.
Explore exciting opportunities for officers and civilians: https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/careers
Update from The Thunder Bay Police Service Board
Passing of Former Chief
The Thunder Bay Police Service Board was saddened to learn of the recent passing of former Thunder Bay Police Service Chief, J.P. Levesque, and extends its sincere condolences to his wife Colleen, family members, friends, and former colleagues.
Chief Levesque dedicated more than three decades to policing in Thunder Bay, serving our community in a variety of roles throughout his long career. Chief Levesque led the Service with commitment, professionalism, and a dedication to public service, until his retirement in 2018.
We salute Chief Levesque’s many years of service, and the contributions he made to Thunder Bay.
Service 2026 Proposed Operational Budget
At its December 16th meeting, the Board approved the Service’s request for a 9.1% budget increase.
The Board acknowledges that this request exceeds the City’s guidance to limit budget increases to 2.6%. However, in recent years—specifically 2024 and 2025—the Service’s budget requests have remained lower than the approved increases for police services in comparable municipalities, including Kingston, Barrie, and Sudbury.
While each municipality faces unique challenges, Thunder Bay’s policing needs remain significant.
The Service has advised that the current request is driven primarily by the need to add frontline officers, which is essential to addressing crime and meeting broader community safety needs.
The Board recognizes that this budget reflects priorities identified by the community through extensive consultations conducted as part of the Strategic Plan development process. The Board is confident these continued strategic investments in community safety will bring sustained and long term positive progress.
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.
2026 Board Meeting Dates
The Board’s 2026 meeting dates have been announced. 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.)
- Tuesday January 20, 2026
- Tuesday February 17, 2026
- Tuesday March 17, 2026
- Tuesday April 21, 2026
- Tuesday May 19, 2026
- Tuesday June 16, 2026
- Tuesday July 21, 2026 (tentative)
- Tuesday August 18, 2026 (tentative)
- Tuesday September 15, 2026
- Tuesday October 20, 2026
- Tuesday November 17, 2026
- Tuesday December 15, 2026
Thank You
The Board extends its thanks to all stakeholders, partners, and community members, and wishes you all the best for 2026.
The Board welcomes all feedback, questions, and comments. Please get in touch: https://thunderbaypsb.ca/contact/
The Board remains committed to maintaining a strong and effective governance structure as it transitions into the new year, with a focus on implementation of our 2025- 2028 Strategic Plan, while ensuring that we continue to build solid relationships and partnerships with all of our communities.
