March 2026

March 11, 2026

From March 1 – 7, 2026:


·        Officers responded to 885 Calls

·        911 Calls received: 1,750

·        Total calls received: 4,061

Community shows its support at inaugural Gala


Over 270 guests helped to make the inaugural Thunder Bay Police Service Gala a magical event. It was a night to honour heroes and empower community — and that spirit was felt throughout the room.

Sponsors, donors, guests, and volunteers celebrated our service and the dedication of our members - sworn and civilian - who serve with compassion, professionalism, and integrity every day.

 

Proceeds from the event will support the Boys and Girls Club of Thunder Bay and Special Olympics Thunder Bay, contributing to the programs and opportunities they continue to provide in our community. We look forward to sharing fundraising totals soon.

Youth Council – Connecting Policing and Education


Students representing high schools across the city recently learned about two important areas of modern policing: forensic identification and communication. The students are part of the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) Youth Council.

 


Students had an inside look at how evidence is located, documented, and preserved at crime scenes, and how that evidence supports investigations and court proceedings. A member of the Forensic Identification Unit highlighted the role that science, technology, and careful analysis play in supporting frontline policing.

 

Students also heard about the growing role of social media in public safety. The Corporate Communications team discussed how platforms are used to share timely information, build trust, and keep the community informed.


Youth Council members shared their own perspectives on what makes social media content meaningful and engaging for young people. They drafted sample youth-focused social media posts inspired by what they learned about forensic work with messaging that would resonate with their peers.

 

The meeting reflected the strength of the Youth Council program—creating opportunities for learning, dialogue, and meaningful youth input into how the Thunder Bay Police Service connects with the community.


Behind the Scenes: The Technology Powering the Thunder Bay Police Service


Civilian members play an essential role in supporting daily operations. Among them is the Information Technology (IT) department, whose work helps keep critical policing systems running smoothly.


Members of the IT team - like Dylan, System Administrator - manage more than 75 specialized technologies used across the organization. These systems are designed to meet the unique demands of policing while maintaining strict security standards to protect sensitive and confidential information.

 

Working in a 24/7 policing environment, IT specialists troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues to ensure officers and civilian staff can reliably access the tools they need to serve the community.

 

The team also supports important technology connections with the courthouse and Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, while providing vital support to the 911 Communications Centre. Their work helps ensure that emergency and public safety services remain operational when the community needs them most.

 

Although much of their work happens behind the scenes, the dedication and expertise of these civilian professionals are essential to the safe, secure, and effective delivery of policing services in Thunder Bay.

 

This is one way civilian members answer the call. To learn more about how you can make a difference in your community, visit https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/careers


Remembrance for fallen officers

 

Saturday, March 7 marked the International Remembrance for Fallen Officers, an occasion dedicated to honouring the brave women and men in law enforcement who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Thunder Bay Police Service Headquarters was bathed in blue light from sundown March 6 to sundown March 7, in solidarity with police headquarters across the globe.

 

Established by INTERPOL in 2019, this annual Day of Remembrance brings together law enforcement communities worldwide to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The blue lights serve as a visual symbol of gratitude and respect, reminding us all that security is upheld by those who stand on the front lines against crime and violence.

 

Submit your question anytime to news@thunderbaypolice.ca.

 



Update from The Thunder Bay Police Service Board

 

 Board Budget Update

 

Executive Director Mark Figliomeni presented the Board’s final 2025 fiscal update, reflecting the period of January 1 to December 31, 2025. 

The Board completed the 2025 fiscal year with a close to $40,000 positive variance. (Total variance= $37,555.66)

 

Chair Machado recognizes and commends the Board for achieving this positive variance, consistent with her past direction of exercising fiscal restraint and maintaining fiscal responsibility.

 

Search for New Executive Director

 

Executive Director Mark Figliomeni has accepted a new opportunity. The Board thanks him for his contributions and leadership and wishes him success in his future endeavours. 

 

Figliomeni’s last day with the Board will be March 20. 

 

The Board is currently determining next steps— and has made it a priority to fill the position as soon as possible.

 

Honesty pays off for local resident who found and returned $700

 

TBT News Story. February 19, 2026:

 

https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/honesty-pays-off-for-local-resident-who-found-and-returned-700-11898752

 

A local resident who found and returned an envelope containing $700 will get to keep the cash.

 

On Tuesday, the Thunder Bay Police Service Board approved a motion to grant the $700 to the resident who discovered it.

 

The motion to give the money to the finder was made by Mayor Ken Boshcoff and the board's provincial appointee, Laird Van Damme.

 

On Nov. 4, 2025, Chief of Police Darcy Fleury told the board that an individual found $700 in an envelope on the sidewalk in front of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. On Nov. 10, the resident reported the situation to the Thunder Bay Police Service, turned in the money and was provided with an occurrence number.

 

Fleury explained that after a 90-day period, unclaimed money can be given to the person who found it. In response, Mayor Ken Boshcoff asked the board if a citizen recognition was possible.

 

“I think these are commendable societal gestures in an era where there is not so much maybe community sense,” Boshcoff said.

 

“These kinds of things, I think, go a long way, especially with our own police force," Boshcoff said.

 

Fleury said there is recognition possible for the finder, but it depends on the situation and the finder's comfort level.

 

“I know it's small, but it has a ripple effect,” Boshcoff said.

 

If the money is not requested back, it will go into the special fund, said Karen Machado, chair of the board.

 

“They could have just put it in their pocket and walked away, but we're a community,” Machado said.

 

“That could have been someone's rent money that they have lost, and so they did the right thing by turning it in. And we'll do the right thing by letting it go back to them.”


Board Meetings

 

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 6, 2026
TB26008394 A Thunder Bay Police Service drug trafficking investigation has led to the seizure of suspected illegal drugs and an arrest. Officers with the Intelligence Unit began the investigation in February 2026, after receiving reports of drug trafficking in Thunder Bay. On March 5, 2026, officers located and arrested two suspects on Simpson Street. Suspected illegal drugs, cash, and other items associated with drug trafficking were seized. Officers also conducted a search at a property on Memorial Avenue During the search, a loaded handgun, suspected crack cocaine, cocaine, hydromorphone, and oxycodone were seized. In total approximately 220 grams of suspected cocaine, 1900 hydromorphone pills and 400 oxycodone pills were seized. The total estimated street value of the drugs seized is over $63,000. As a result of the investigation, 37-year-old Jermaine WHITE from Etobicoke is 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 (two counts) • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000 • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm • Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition • Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm • Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order (three counts) • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm • Unauthorized possession of weapon The accused remains in custody with a future court date. A Thunder Bay resident has also been charged with traffic in Schedule 1 substance – cocaine. The accused from Thunder Bay has been released on an undertaking.

Thunder Bay Police Service investigating homicide on city’s south end

March 5, 2026
TB26007891 The Thunder Bay Police Service is investigating a homicide on the city’s south end. Officers were dispatched to the Hall Place area on the evening of March 1, 2026. A deceased male was located. The Major Crime Unit became involved in the ongoing investigation. The Thunder Bay Police Service is looking for security video or dashcam footage between February 22, 2026, and March 1, 2026, along Walsh Street East, between Edward Street South and Tarbutt Street South. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation, or who wishes to submit video footage, should contact Detective Constable Jason Bresele at jason.bresele@thunderbaypolice.ca Submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at www.p3tips.com .

February 2026

March 3, 2026
This week, I had the opportunity to present at the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Seven Youth Inquest Continuity of Care Forum 2026. This year’s theme, “The Journey Continues: Ten Years of Healing, Supporting & Remembering,” honours the lives of Jethro Anderson, Reggie Bushie, Robyn Harper, Kyle Morriseau, Paul Panacheese, Curran Strang and Jordan Wabasse. While the history we acknowledge is difficult, hope lies in how we move forward — together. The voices of the Seven Fallen Feathers, their families, and their communities remain central to meaningful change, and that work depends on strong relationships. At the Thunder Bay Police Service, we have learned — and continue to learn — the importance of collaboration grounded in honesty and humility. Community safety is a shared responsibility. Through sustained partnerships with Indigenous leadership, organizations, and service providers, we are addressing both immediate safety concerns and root causes of crime. One example is our partnership with the Ontario Native Women’s Association in developing Thunder Bay’s Urban Indigenous Community Safety Plan — a collaboration centred on accountability, cultural awareness, and continuous improvement. Our Restorative Justice partnership with Nokiiwin Tribal Council and the Crown offers eligible Indigenous individuals the opportunity to take responsibility and participate in a healing circle involving victims, Elders, and community members. Agreements focus on repairing harm and addressing root causes. When successfully completed, charges may be withdrawn — balancing accountability with culturally grounded healing and victim support. Through Project Prevent, we provide interactive gang-recruitment avoidance education to about 2,500 youth annually in and around Thunder Bay. Our team travels to First Nations communities to deliver culturally responsive presentations, supporting students who may eventually live in larger communities to make informed choices before recruitment efforts take hold. School Resource Officers have been assigned full-time to Dennis Franklin Cromarty and Matawa Education since Fall 2024. Their work extends beyond enforcement and includes weekly collaboration with school leadership, safety orientations, education on rights during police interactions, presentations on drugs and online safety, and investigative support when required. These are just some examples of initiatives the Thunder Bay Police Service is engaged in, reflecting a sustained commitment to collaboration with Indigenous communities. We have fully addressed and reported on recommendations arising from the Broken Trust Report, the Independent Expert Panel review, and the Inquest into the Deaths of Seven First Nations Youths. More importantly, our continued actions demonstrate meaningful, lasting change. Progress is necessary — and it is happening through sincere partnership. I am grateful for the leadership and commitment of our many partners as we move forward together.