January 2026

January 8, 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.

 


Charges laid following investigation into weapons incident on Thunder Bay’s north end

January 25, 2026
TB26002366 A Thunder Bay resident is facing an Attempted Murder charge following a weapons incident on the city’s north end. Thunder Bay Police Service officers with the Primary Response Unit attended a business on Memorial Avenue, around 2:00 a.m. on January 18, 2026, in response to an individual who had been located with injuries. The victim is in stable condition. The Major Crime Unit became involved in the ongoing investigation. On January 25, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Unit located and arrested a suspect. As a result, 40-year-old George PALOSAARI is facing the following charges: • Attempt to Commit Murder using a Restricted Firearm or Prohibited Firearm • Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose • Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm • Possession of Prohibited Firearm with Ammo • Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was Prohibited or Restricted Weapon • Firearm – Use while Committing Offence • Careless use of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition The accused remains in custody with a future court date. Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Thunder Bay Police Service at (807) 684-1200. Submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at www.p3tips.com .

Limited-edition Norval Morrisseau prints available through Thunder Bay Police Services Charity Gala Auctions

January 23, 2026
A unique opportunity for admirers of Norval Morrisseau’s artwork will be part of the Thunder Bay Police Service’s first Gala, supported by a donation of limited edition prints from the Estate of world-renowned artist Norval Morrisseau. Two identical pairs of framed prints are now available through an online auction site: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/thunder-bay-police-services-charity-auction The rest of these remarkable works will be auctioned at the Gala, with all proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Thunder Bay and The Boys and Girls Club. The limited-edition serigraphs, created under the direct supervision of Mr. Morrisseau, showcase his dedication to quality and authenticity. Each print was produced using plates that were destroyed after printing, ensuring their exclusivity. Four of the prints available at the Gala are personally titled and signed by the artist, each accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity, further enhancing their value as rare collectibles. Prints available for auction at the Gala include: • Family (2004): A limited-edition serigraph exploring themes of interconnectedness. • Mother and Child (2004): A celebrated serigraph depicting nurturing spiritual themes. • Gabe (2004): A serigraph featuring Morrisseau’s business manager and adopted son, Gabe Vadas, a significant figure in his later life. • Self-Portrait (2004): A reflective work capturing the artist’s own image, typical of his later years. Additionally, two identical pairs of prints will be available via the Online Auction, entitled “Bird Family” and “Bear Cub Learning from Bird Family.” “We are incredibly thankful and excited that the Estate of Norval Morrisseau has chosen to support the Thunder Bay Police Services Charity Gala in this extraordinary way,” said TBPS Chief Darcy Fleury. “We are confident that these remarkable works will help raise much-needed funds for Special Olympics Thunder Bay and The Boys and Girls Club.” The Thunder Bay Police Services Charity Gala promises to be an inspiring evening celebrating the men and women of the Service and the community. Attendees will have a unique opportunity to own a piece of Canadian art history while supporting vital local charities. To purchase tickets, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/thunder-bay-police-services-gala-2026-tickets-1864559741379?aff=oddtdtcreator Follow Thunder Bay Police Service social media channels to stay up to date on the auctions. About Norval Morrisseau: Norval Morrisseau (1932–2007) was a ground-breaking Anishinaabe artist, celebrated for pioneering the Woodland style and profoundly influencing Indigenous art in Canada and internationally. The Estate is deeply thankful for the Thunder Bay Police Services’ role in uncovering, arresting, and securing convictions against those involved in forgery rings that have negatively impacted Morrisseau’s legacy.

January 2026

January 22, 2026
I take my responsibility to the community seriously. Asking for a budget increase isn’t easy, and people deserve to understand why it’s needed and what value they get for their tax dollars. For 2026, the Thunder Bay Police Service is requesting a 9.1% net operating budget increase. The bottom line is simple: the community is asking for more police resources, experts agree they’re needed, and the data shows they make a real difference in public safety. Calls for service continue to rise, and the nature of those calls is changing. In 2024, 60% of our calls were high-priority (Priority 1–3), meaning there was an immediate threat to life or serious injury. Nearly one in four calls were Priority 1 — the most serious, often involving weapons. These calls require two or more officers and can tie up resources for hours, which affects response times for other calls. Every call matters, but increasing high-risk calls are putting real pressure on the system. We work closely with more than 30 local partners through the City’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan to prevent crime and support people’s success. Programs like School Resource Officers, the IMPACT mental-health response team, social navigation supports, and youth engagement initiatives help prevent harm, connect people to services, and reduce pressure on the front line. Many are grant-funded, but we need the capacity to sustain and support them. Our budget request reflects what we’re hearing from the community. In the most recent Community Satisfaction Surveys, 88% of respondents said more police presence and faster response times are the most important ways to keep Thunder Bay safe, and crime is the top issue residents want Council to address. An independent staffing review also strongly recommended increasing front-line officers. We’re listening. This budget will increase our deployable workforce — meaning more officers available to respond. This investment helps maintain safe service levels, reduce overtime, and support officer wellness. We also serve up to 30,000 more people than official numbers suggest — which impacts calls, response times, and costs. Even so, our service delivery costs are lower than most peers, and our crime clearance rates exceed provincial and national averages. We use grants, partnerships, special constables, and technology to stay efficient — but efficiency has limits. Minimal increases are no longer sustainable here. That’s why I am requesting a 9.1% increase. I strongly support and applaud City Council’s strategy to boost population and economic growth. To attract residents and businesses, safety must come first. This budget is about keeping pace with community needs, protecting public safety, and continuing to deliver strong, evidence-based results with responsible use of public funds.