This new monthly message is part of my commitment to ongoing engagement and transparency. Please reach out to news@thunderbaypolice.ca with questions and feedback that will shape future reports as well as our social media content.
April 2024
I am grateful for the positive feedback on my first message to the community. People liked learning about the high demand for service. The Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) Members responded to 4,135 calls for service in March 2024.
What isn’t reflected in the numbers are the hours and efforts it takes to respond to each call. Any call for service may involve multiple officers. One example is homicide investigations. Scenes must be held, often for several days, pulling much-needed officers from the front lines. In the background, Investigators conduct interviews, collect evidence, analyze hours of video, follow digital footprints and execute warrants. Unfortunately, there have been two homicides in our community this year. Both were swiftly and effectively solved.
It’s a team effort. Because of the quality and perseverance of our Members, TBPS has a significantly higher clearance rate* for solving crimes than both the provincial and national averages of other police services.
In addition, last month, our Investigative Services Branch completed successful drug and weapons seizures, and began investigating a complex forcible confinement and assault case suspected to be related to drug trafficking activity. The time and expertise to resolve these crimes is well invested.
In March 2024, the activity of just the Investigative Services – Intelligence Branch included:
• Executed 11 warrants, resulting in 26 arrests (19 of whom are from outside of our District);
• 10 of the warrants were related to Home Take Over investigations;
• Over 1.5 kilos of drugs seized (cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine);
• 71 charges laid re: Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs & Substances Act.
I am very proud of the dedication and professionalism of the many Members — sworn and civilian — who respond to calls, work cases, transcribe reports, process evidence, and so many other critical tasks. Members work around the clock to serve and protect our community.
Also, in March I had opportunities to hear from people who reiterated the importance of respectful and compassionate police responses, particularly regarding historically marginalized communities. One was a meeting with the Indigenous Advisory Committee, another a conversation with members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I am grateful for the honest sharing that informs our priorities and path forward.
*The weighted clearance rate is based on the same principles as the Police Reported Crime Severity Index. Serious offences are assigned a higher "weight" than less serious offences. (Government of Canada).
Read previous messages:
March 2024