September 2025

September 18, 2025

The Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) Board has officially launched the new joint Strategic Plan for Board and our Service, which will guide our work through to 2028. This marks an exciting and important time for both our organization and the communities we serve.

 

You can view the plan here: https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/about-us/strategic-plan

 

This plan reflects our ongoing commitment to community safety and public trust. It lays out a clear direction, rooted in shared values and priorities, for how we will serve with integrity, compassion, and accountability.

 

Our Vision: A safe community. A trusted service.


We believe every person deserves to live in a safe environment and to be served by a police service they trust. This vision will guide every decision we make.

 

Our Mission: With integrity and compassion, we partner with communities to deliver policing that improves safety and trust.
We know that true public safety is only possible through strong partnerships with the people and communities we serve. Together, we can build safer neighbourhoods and stronger relationships.

 

Our Values:


Our actions will continue to be guided by the values we hold as a service:

  • Partnerships
  • Integrity
  • Public Service
  • Excellence
  • Equity, Diversity & Human Rights


These are more than words—they are the foundation of how we serve and how we hold ourselves accountable.

 

Our Strategic Priorities:

 

To realize this vision and mission, our Strategic Plan focuses on four key priorities:

 

1. Crime Prevention and Reduction
We will take a proactive, community-based approach to preventing and reducing crime, with a focus on addressing root causes and ensuring meaningful public safety outcomes.

 

2. Public Trust and Confidence
Trust is essential. We are committed to building and maintaining trust through open communication, accountability, and a commitment to fairness and respect in every interaction.

 

3. A Healthy & Supported Workforce
Our members are our greatest asset and at the heart of everything we do. Supporting their wellness, safety, and development is key to delivering high-quality service to the public.

 

4. Accountable Leadership
We will lead with integrity, transparency, and accountability at every level. Strong leadership is critical to strengthening and keeping public confidence.

 

An Operational Plan is currently in development to ensure that these priorities are translated into concrete actions that will guide day-to-day implementation and keep us accountable to our goals—and to you, our community.

 

This is a defining moment for our service. I want to thank our Board, all TBPS members and those in the community who shared their voices, experiences, and perspectives to shape the new Strategic Plan. Your continued input ensures our service reflects and respects the diverse needs of the people we serve.

 

I look forward to the work ahead.


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Housing Safety Unit Pilot Program Launched

October 28, 2025
Special Constables were sworn in last week at TBPS. Pictured: Deputy Chief Ryan Hughes, Erin Murphy, Tristan Johnson, Chief Darcy Fleury, Cole Lambert, Krystal Wiwcharyk, and Deputy Chief Jeremy Pearson.  The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) and the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) have partnered to launch a new, community-focused initiative: the Housing Safety Unit (HSU). Under this initiative, dedicated Special Constables will be deployed to provide a proactive, visible, and tailored safety presence in TBDSSAB-owned housing communities. Special Constables are appointed under Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA). They are law enforcement officers with limited police powers, authorized to enforce laws within a specific jurisdiction. The HSU is being launched as a pilot program with possibility of continuation based on data. “The HSU is a prime example of community and police collaborating to create safer spaces through proactive, community-based presence,” said TBPS Chief Darcy Fleury. “It’s about building trust, maintaining order, and ultimately supporting residents in feeling safe in their homes.” Four TBPS Special Constables will be deployed primarily to three high-volume buildings, while also establishing relationships at TBDSSAB’s other direct-owned properties. Their duties include routine patrols, incident response, tenant engagement, and support referrals. “These constables are equipped to enforce laws under the Criminal Code, Trespass to Property Act, Liquor Licence and Control Act, Mental Health Act (in limited roles), and relevant municipal bylaws and housing rules. They are equipped to enforce laws under the Criminal Code, Trespass to Property Act, Liquor Licence and Control Act, Mental Health Act (in limited roles), and relevant municipal bylaws and housing rules,” explained Jason Rybak, TBPS Inspector, Operational Support. TBDSSAB introduced Tenant Support Workers (TSWs) in 2017 to support the unique challenges faced by tenants in community housing within the permitted scope of a landlord-tenant relationship per the Housing Services Act and Residential Tenancies Act. Tenant Support Workers support tenants by building relationships, creating opportunities for tenant community building, and making referrals to community services. In recent years, TSWs have built a strong rapport with the TBPS Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) unit, with officers offering tenants education and advice around personal and community safety as-needed. As demand increases and police resources are challenged, this innovative partnership offers a new way to support proactive engagement with housing communities. “Our housing communities deserve safe, supportive environments,” said Ken Ranta, CEO of TBDSSAB. “This partnership allows us to bring a new level of dedicated, community-specific safety to those who need it most.” Krystal Wiwcharyk is one of the new Special Constables. “I know how important it is for people to feel safe, heard, and connected,” she said. “It’s about more than enforcing the law; it’s about understanding the challenges people face and helping them find solutions in a compassionate, respectful way.” The HSU Special Constable role can involve helping someone access support services, mediating neighbour disputes, or simply being a familiar, approachable presence. By offering practical help and working alongside community partners, Special Constables can help prevent issues before they escalate. The HSU is expected to: • Enhance resident safety • Reduce criminal and social disorder • Build trust through community-based engagement • Provide enforcement tailored to the unique needs of housing communities A similar initiative implemented in Toronto has led to reduced emergency calls, improved perceptions of safety, and stronger tenant relationships with enforcement personnel. The TBDSSAB and TBPS HSU partnership is expected to deliver similar benefits in Thunder Bay—at a lower cost than traditional police deployment, and with more authority and training than private security. Data will inform future expansion and strategic adjustments.