November 2025

December 4, 2025

Collisions – Did you know?

 

The Thunder Bay Collision Reporting Centre is located within the Thunder Bay Police Service station at 1200 Balmoral Street. The collision reporting centre is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

1,535 motor vehicle collisions were reported in the six-month period from January 1 to June 30 of this year. Most collisions:

·        happened in January

·        took place on Fridays (the fewest on Sundays)

·        occurred around 4:00 p.m.

·        took place when conditions were clear and roads were dry. 


Honouring Tradition


As part of our ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, our service continues to host Indigenous traditional ceremonies that honour and uphold cultural teachings. These meaningful events are coordinated by Jan Ritchie, Community Inclusion Team Coordinator, and serve as opportunities for learning, reflection, and connection.

 

On October 24, members of the service joined Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Drummers in a traditional feast and cedar ceremony. Cedar, one of the four sacred medicines, is known for offering protection and cleansing. Cedar bows can be found throughout our headquarters as a reminder of these teachings and the importance of respect for important cultural practices.


Honour Heroes – Empower Community

The Thunder Bay Police Service will host its inaugural Gala this coming winter.

 

“This is an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding individuals of our service and the community they so proudly serve,” said Chief Darcy Fleury.

 

The TBPS Gala will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Italian Cultural Centre and feature a gourmet dining experience, live musical entertainment, and thrilling live and silent auctions. The TBPS Gala also serves as a fundraiser for Special Olympics Thunder Bay and The Boys and Girls Club - BGC Thunder Bay. These organizations help local children and youth reach their full potential.

 

Learn more about the event and sponsorship opportunities: https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/about-us/2026-tbps-gala


Answering the Call: TBPS welcomes Special Constables


Last month, five Special Constables were sworn in at our Service.

From left to right: Deputy Chief Ryan Hughes; TBPA President Colin Woods; Special Constables Jamie Ball, Erin Murphy, and Krystal Wiwcharyk; Chief Darcy Fleury; Special Constables Tristan Johnson and Cole Lambert; Deputy Chief Jeremy Pearson; and Special Constable Supervisor Ashlee Rybak.


These Special Constables will be deployed to Court Services and to the Housing Safety Unit (HSU). HSU Special Constables patrol TBDSSAB-owned and managed buildings and work in tandem with Community-Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) officers.

 

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. 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.

 

Interested in Answering the Call? If you’re ready for a rewarding and meaningful career as a Special Constable, or want to learn more about:

·        our cadet program

·        joining as an experienced officer

·        becoming a Communications Operator

·        civilian opportunities

 

Visit Careers in Policing | Thunder Bay Police Service | Thunder Bay. You can also reach out to recruitment@thunderbaypolice.ca.


Update from The Thunder Bay Police Service Board

New Policy on Service Investigations

 

The Board approved a Governance Committee recommendation for a policy to establish clear standards for investigations conducted by the Service, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 395/23, and to provide a framework for Board oversight and accountability.

 

This policy ensures that the Chief of the Service establishes, maintains, and regularly reviews procedures for investigations, in alignment with applicable legislation, Board policies, and community needs.

 

The new policy applies to all investigations conducted by the Service, as defined by Ontario Regulation 395/23, and applies to all members of the Service involved in investigations, with specific responsibilities assigned to the Chief.

 

Update to Board Chair Bylaw

 

The Board approved a 2023 Independent Expert Panel recommendation that ensures that the Chair of the Board is a non-elected member of the community. This is in recognition of the Board’s status as an independent entity from the Municipality of Thunder Bay, and to ensure the Board’s concerns and business receive the Chair’s undivided attention.

 

TBTNewsWatch.com reported on the change:

https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/council-members-can-no-longer-chair-city-police-board-11378704


Quarterly Reports

 

The Board is pleased to share its 2025 Q3 Report:

https://thunderbaypsb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/TBPSB-Q3-2025-2-1.pdf

 

Under the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA), police services and police service boards are required to file publicly available annual reports. The first annual report under the CSPA was filed in June.

 

Since the beginning of 2024, the Board has been providing additional quarterly reports to the public that will be used to create a final annual report. We hope you will take the opportunity to review the latest report.

 

Executive Director Recruitment

 

In the spring, the Board embarked on a search for a new, full-time Executive Director. The Board has completed two sets of interviews. The Board is hopeful that the new Executive Director will be in place by the November Board meeting.


Charges laid following drug trafficking investigation

February 12, 2026
TB26005531 A Thunder Bay Police Service drug trafficking investigation has led to charges. Officers with the Intelligence Unit with the assistance of the Emergency Task Unit searched a home on Syndicate Avenue North on February 10, 2026. During the search, two individuals in the home were arrested. Suspected cocaine and fentanyl were also seized along with more than $5,000 in cash. As a result of the investigation, 20-year-old Nash JAAZANIAH from Toronto and 65-year-old Cliffton GRATZKI from Thunder Bay are 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 proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Obstruct peace officer Both accused are being held in custody with a future court date.

Robbery investigation leads to charges

February 12, 2026
TB25037456, TB25050666, TB26000165, and TB25042394 Charges have been laid following a Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) investigation into two robberies on Thunder Bay’s north end. Officers received a report of a robbery taking place on Cumberland Street South just after noon on December 30, 2025. Officers spoke to staff and determined there were no injuries, and that the suspect had left the scene. TBPS Break and Enter, Armed Robbery (BEAR) Unit became involved in the ongoing investigation. On January 2, 2026, officers responded to a separate business in the Algoma Street area in response to another robbery that was in progress. When officers responded to the area, the suspect had already left the scene. Further investigation led to the BEAR Unit identifying a suspect. The suspect was located and arrested on January 30, 2026, by the TBPS Emergency Task Unit with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police. As a result of the investigation, 64-year-old Anthony FRIZZELL of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Robbery with theft • Disguise with intent (two counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (three counts) • Robbery with violence (two counts) • Assault causing bodily harm • Uttering threats – cause death or bodily harm • Forcible confinement • Cruelty to animals – unnecessary pain, suffering or injury Some of these charges were laid in connection to outstanding warrants, not directly related to the December 30, 2025, and January 2, 2026, robberies. The accused was remanded into custody after their first court appearance.

Thunder Bay cyber crime investigation leads to charges

February 11, 2026
TB25028861 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation into Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (CSAEM) has led to charges. Thunder Bay’s Cyber Crime Unit began the investigation on July 21, 2025, after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), via the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC). Officers searched a home on Thunder Bay’s south end on November 28, 2025. Several electronic devices were seized. As a result of the investigation, 28-year-old Jayden Belanger from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material • Access any child sexual abuse and exploitation material The accused has been released from custody with a future court date. 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. Tips for talking to your kids can be found, and 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. 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. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Joel Manherz at (807) 684-1200 ext. 4115. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com .