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.


Thunder Bay Police Service brings professional development training closer to home

June 12, 2026
The Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) hosted the Supervisor Leadership Institute (SLI) at the TBPS Station from June 8 to 12, 2026, bringing the training program closer to home. SLI is an FBI-LEEDA program — they’re the gold standard for law enforcement leadership training in North America. FBI-LEEDA — the Law Enforcement Executive Development Association — is a private, non-profit organization that grew out of the FBI’s executive training programs. The program operates independently and is not part of the FBI. The course runs for five days and is open to front-line supervisors and any police leaders, sworn or civilian. The Ontario Provincial Police, Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, and the University of North Dakota Police Service participated in the course alongside TBPS. There was a total of 24 participants, 16 of which were members of TBPS. The instructor is Chief David Boggs, a retired Chief of Police out of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, FBI National Academy grad, and an FBI Executive Teaching Fellow. The course covers leadership principles, building credibility, discipline and supervisor liability, and participants do a personal DISC leadership style assessment. The DISC leadership assessment is a behavioral profiling tool that categorizes individuals into four primary personality styles: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. “Supervisors who complete the SLI return with practical, immediately applicable leadership skills — better equipped to manage their teams, handle discipline consistently and defensibly, and build credibility with the people they lead,” explained TBPS Inspector of Operational Support Jason Rybak. “It strengthens the overall quality of supervision across the organization and contributes to a more professional, accountable police service.” Today it is recognized as the leading provider of law enforcement leadership education in North America, having trained tens of thousands of officers and leaders across hundreds of courses annually. “Strong supervision produces better policing,” added Rybak. “When front-line supervisors lead with credibility, communicate effectively, and make sound decisions, it translates directly into how officers interact with the public. Communities benefit from a police service where leadership at every level is intentional, accountable, and committed to continuous improvement.” Their core program is the Leadership Trilogy — three progressive courses targeting every level of police leadership: • The Supervisor Leadership Institute (SLI) • Command Leadership Institute (CLI) • Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) Graduates who have completed all three programs also earn transferable college credit upon completion.

Cyber crime investigation leads to charges

June 10, 2026
TB26015221 A Thunder Bay Police Service Cyber Crime Unit investigation has resulted in charges. On April 23, 2026, officers received a report from another police agency regarding potential child sexual abuse and exploitation in Thunder Bay. Further investigation led to a suspect being identified. On April 29, 2026, officers searched a home on Thunder Bay’s south side and seized multiple electronic devices. On June 10, 2026, a suspect surrendered themself at the Thunder Bay Police Service Station at 1200 Balmoral Street. As a result of the investigation, 50-year-old Michael SCORGIE of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Luring a person under 16-years of age by means of telecommunications (two counts) • Arrangement to commit a sexual offence against a person under 16-years of age (two counts) • Arrangement to commit a sexual offence against a person under 18-years of age • Make prints, publishes or possesses for the purpose of publication of any child sexual abuse and exploitation material • Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material The accused was released from custody following their first court appearance with a future court date. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Joel Manherz at (807) 684-1200 ext. 4115. Tips can 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 – the safety tips outlined below are recommended for children of any age. 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. This project has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General. 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.

Primary Response Unit investigation leads to drug trafficking charges

June 9, 2026
TB26021214 Primary Response Unit investigation leads to drug trafficking charges A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation has led to charges. On June 5, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Unit located a driver asleep behind their steering wheel with the vehicle running in the Picton Avenue and Blucher Crescent area. Further investigation led to a search of the vehicle. During the search officers located and seized over 115 grams of suspected fentanyl, over 587 grams of suspected crack cocaine, cash, and items associated with drug trafficking. The estimated street value of the drugs seized is over $150,000. As a result of the investigation, 49-year-old Jermaine WILSON, of Brampton, Ontario 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 · Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000  The accused was remanded into custody following their first court appearance.