Community questions answered We’re happy to answer these questions submitted to news@thunderbaypolice.ca. How does TBPS combat retail thefts? Communities across the country are experiencing retail thefts due complex economic, social, and systemic factors. In one month (April 27 – May 27), TBPS responded to 263 calls related to Thefts. To interrupt this activity, TBPS officers in plain clothes attend stores posing as customers. When they witness theft, officers take suspects into custody. Our Break, Enter and Armed Robbery (BEAR) Unit members spent time monitoring different retail areas over the course of multiple days. This resulted in several arrests for theft, including one of a person who was wanted on a robbery charge. Primary Response officers watch for theft activity while on patrol. Store windows that are free of obstructions such as posters give officers a clear line of sight from the road. Retail spaces can be planned to enhance staff safety and deter criminal activity. Our officers share advice to businesses that helps to open sightlines, improve, reduce hiding spots, increase the chance of detecting suspicious behavior, limit access to high-value or commonly targeted merchandise. How does TBPS help youth stay away from criminal activities? Protecting youth is a priority and shared responsibility. We are pleased to collaborate on activities to keep youth safe. These are just a few examples: School Resource Officers improve student safety in and around schools. They play a key role in building relationships between students and police. In 2024, School Resource Officers delivered 40 presentations to youth regarding Online Safety, Bullying, Gang Prevention and Student Safety. In September 2024, Voices of Resilience: Gang Prevention Through Experience reached about 2,500 grade 7 and 8 students at local and regional schools. Our Community-Oriented Response & Engagement and Community Inclusion Teams engage with members of our community at countless events and activities. Many of these, like the Sk8 Collaborative, are focused on youth. TBPS members participate in Camp Loon – an outreach program for youth between 12 and 18 from remote Indigenous communities in the north. Our involvement provides training in leadership skills and activities which may not be available to them at home. More Action. More Opportunity. Working in a busy municipal police service means every day brings new challenges—and new chances to grow. From frontline response to specialized units, your career path is yours to shape. Serve Where You Live. Protect What Matters Most. Stay close to home while making a real difference. Our officers protect the communities they live in—because there’s no greater motivation than keeping your own streets safe. If you’re looking for a rewarding, exciting and ever-changing career, answer the call. Join our team through either our Cadet or Experienced Officers program. To learn more about career opportunities at TBPS, visit thunderbaypolice.ca/careers.

On Tuesday, April 22, TBPS Chief Darcy Fleury hosted a Chat with the Chief at BGC Thunder Bay. Very rich and candid conversations occurred between Chief Fleury and community members. Below are some of the questions and answers discussed. What feedback does Chief Fleury hear most often from community members? People ask for more police presence in neighbourhoods. We want this, too. Our current reality is that Primary Response officers are constantly attending priority calls. In addition to responding to calls for service in real-time, our focus has been on guns and gangs. We focused on getting drugs, guns and criminals off the streets, and there is more to be done in this area before we can dedicate officers to neighbourhood policing. How does TBPS support victims of crime? The safety and wellness of victims is a top priority. Trauma-informed approaches are applied to interactions with victims, witnesses, and suspects. Our dedicated Intimate Partner Violence and Human Trafficking investigators are specifically trained to minimize victim re-traumatization during investigations. These investigators are strongly connected with local agencies that support and advocate for victims. The TBPS Social Navigation Coordinator links victims of crime with the services they may need. What happens when a person complains about a police officer? The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) handles intake of public complaints about police officers. LECA is an independent oversight agency that makes sure complaints against police officers are taken seriously and investigated accordingly. Anyone can file a complaint through the LECA (online or by mail) or at the police station. LECA reviews complaints against their guidelines/rules to determine if a full investigation is appropriate. If suitable, LECA might offer a chance to resolve the issue informally. If an investigation is needed, LECA will determine whether it is to be conducted by TBPS Professional Standards, an outside police service, or if LECA themselves will retain the investigation. The person making the complaint will be provided with the Final Report outlining the findings of the investigation and can appeal the findings with LECA if they are unsatisfied. Once the investigation is complete, if misconduct is found, the officer may face penalties. Although uncommon, this can include possible hearings. The person making the complaint will be told the outcome and any action taken. In 2024, 64 complaints were made about TBPS officers. Of those: 31 were determined by LECA to not merit an investigation and 10 were resolved locally (a process to resolve complaints before they go formal. These complaints are received and dealt with directly at the police station). Of the 23 remaining complaints: 5 were unsubstantiated; 2 were withdrawn; 1 was resolved informally (which can occur during an investigation); 6 were terminated/suspended investigations; and 9 remained ongoing into 2025. Have a question for the Chief? Join Chief Darcy Fleury for a “Chat with the Chief”: Thursday, May 22 at 6:00 pm (symposium at 5:30) Waverley Resource Library, Red River Road Everyone is welcome. Anyone can submit questions in advance at https://forms.office.com/r/cuPSF5LFrH. Special Constables appointed Earlier this month, TBPS formally welcomed seven new Special Constables to the service. Special Constables are civilian employees, meaning they are not police officers, but they are granted some of the powers and responsibilities of a peace officer and are tasked with specific duties. The Special Constables were required to complete training as outlined under the Community Safety and Policing Act, with a final examination through the Ontario Police College. All were successful and sworn in as Special Constables. TBPS is dedicated to education and training and focuses on fostering a learning environment. Recently sworn-in Special Constables Aaron Bogensberger, Jordyn Paris, Mitch Beaulieu, Alanna Hughes, Francesco Leuzzi, Jennifer Porter-McKever, and David Goose. Answer the call. To learn more about career opportunities at TBPS, visit thunderbaypolice.ca/careers. Update from the Thunder Bay Police Service Board: In April, the board released its Q1/2025 report. You can read the report here: https://thunderbaypsb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Thunder-Bay-Police-Service-Board-Q1-Report-2025.pdf The Board is excited to move forward with the hiring of a new Executive Director. A recruitment process is underway, with the Board engaging Phelps Canada to conduct a search of suitable executive and leadership candidates. A formal job posting will soon be publicly available. The need for an Executive Director was first identified in the 2018 Sinclair Report by the late Senator Murray Sinclair, who noted: “Given the extensive recommendations in the report, it’s suggested this become a full-time position for several years.” Coming up in May…. The Board’s next meeting is Tuesday May 20th at 10:30 AM. Watch the meeting LIVE: https://video.isilive.ca/thunderbay/live.html

In 2024, a total of 267 authentic firearms were seized by TBPS, compared to 139 in 2023. Given the increase in prevalence of firearms and their involvement in the commission of violent crime over recent years, when officers respond to situations where a potential firearm may be present, they must assume that the weapon is real and accessible until proven otherwise. Break and Enter and Robbery (BEAR) Unit From Jan. 1, 2024, to early March 2025, the BEAR Unit investigated numerous offences, laid more than 500 charges and made more than 275 arrests. The BEAR Unit is a specialty unit with unique investigative training. The BEAR Unit was developed to combat the increasing prevalence of break and enters, thefts and robberies. In addition, the BEAR Unit members are often called upon to arrest high-risk suspects wanted on warrants. Chat with the Chief – Mark your calendar Everyone is welcome to “Chat with the Chief” events. These events allow TBPS Chief Darcy Fleury and other leaders to provide updates and answer questions from community members. Upcoming events: Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30 pm BCG Thunder Bay, Windsor Street Thursday, May 22 at 6:00 pm (symposium at 5:30) Waverly Resource Library, Red River Road Anyone who prefers to submit questions in advance can complete a short, anonymous survey at https://forms.office.com/r/cuPSF5LFrH, Questions for the Chief can be submitted at any time to news@thunderbaypolice.ca. Balancing High-Stakes Calls with Heartfelt Teamwork Chantel Randell was looking for a career change where she could have a real impact. Today, as a TBPS 911 Communications Operator, Chantel makes a difference every single shift. Emergency calls are unpredictable and managing them takes skill. “The ever-changing nature of the work is one of the aspects I truly enjoy,” Chantel says. Communication and team trust are essential in ensuring callers get the help they need, and first responders receive accurate information. “This is where the strength of our teamwork truly shines,” Chantel says. “There was one call that took everything we had—our focus, our energy, and our teamwork,” Chantel recalls. After the crisis, the team took time to check in with each other and share a moment of self-care, even sharing ice cream to decompress. “We have each other’s backs. This is what sets us apart.” April 13 – 19 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, a time to celebrate the dedicated and talented 911 Operators who are essential to emergency responses. Thank you to the valued members of the TBPS Communications team. Answer the call. Interested in a career as a 911 Operator? The pay is great, and the schedule is 4-on-4-off. To learn more, visit thunderbaypolice.ca/careers. Updates from the Thunder Bay Police Service Board In March, the Board reviewed the results of the 2024 Citizens’ Satisfaction and Trust Survey Results for the Thunder Bay Police Service. A key theme is disparities across demographics, with results noting a substantial difference in how younger and lower-income respondents perceive and experience policing. Overall: The majority of total respondents feel very or somewhat safe in Thunder Bay, and 82% would contact the police if they were a victim of crime or were worried about something. However, 53% of Indigenous respondents say they do not feel safe in Thunder Bay, and 65% would be willing to contact the TBPS if they were the victim of a crime or were worried about something. 68% of total respondents feel that TBPS officers would treat them with respect if they had contact with them for any reason. Of the respondents who had contact with TBPS in the prior 12 months, 77% felt they were treated respectfully to a large extent or to some extent by the officer or staff member. The top concerns for policing efforts identified by respondents are violence, illegal firearms, and drug-related issues. Almost half of respondents want the police to prioritize patrolling neighbourhoods and interacting with residents. Respondents said that outside of police, efforts to address addictions, mental health, and affordable housing issues play a critical role in improving community safety. 52% of respondents feel “working with diverse people and communities” are the most important police actions required to keep their community safe. Survey results inform ongoing strategic and operational planning. To read the full survey, visit https://thunderbaypsb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Thunder-Bay-Public-Safety-Pulse-Report-2024-corrected.pdf TBPS Board in the Community The Thunder Bay Police Service Board was proud to sponsor and participate in the ICTC 35th Annual Powwow at Lakehead University from March 7th-9th. The full highlights from the March 18th board meeting are available at: https://thunderbaypsb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/TBPSB-Meeting-Highlights-March-18-2025_Updated.pdf Coming up for the Board in April: The TBPSB will release its 2025 Q1 Report. The Board's next meeting is on Tues. April 15th. Watch the meeting LIVE at https://video.isilive.ca/thunderbay/live.html

Online reporting is convenient because people can report crimes any time from a home computer, tablet or smartphone. TBPS recently launched a new and expanded online reporting service which allows more types of non-emergency incidents to be reported online, while making it easier for users to upload photos or videos as evidence. Eligible report types include theft, vandalism, fraud, traffic violations, and missing identification. Incidents must have occurred within Thunder Bay Police Service jurisdiction. As always, in emergency situations, please call 911. The new platform also allows people to have links to specific report types sent directly to them by text message. Users receive a confirmation once the report has been submitted and can choose to receive updates on the status of their report. More information about the Thunder Bay Police Service online incident reporting system can be found here: https://thunderbaypolice.ca/services/online-reporting Connecting with our Community Outreach Branch The Community Outreach Branch consists of units focused on a variety of mandates. The common theme between each of these units is that they achieve their goals through strategic community partnerships. To support our partners and community members to more easily and directly access our specialized Community Outreach teams, new email addresses were created and are checked daily by Supervisors. The Community Inclusion Team (CIT) CIT strives to build positive relationships between police, Indigenous people, other racialized and underrepresented groups they serve. Email CIT@thunderbaypolice.ca School Resource Officers (SRO) have a special relationship with the city’s schools and school boards. They are often called upon to provide students and school staff with educational presentations or conduct safety drills. Email SRO@thunderbaypolice.ca Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) officers are part of a high-visibility unit that identifies specific issues and problem areas of the city and executes projects focused on addressing the root problems. Email CORE@thunderbaypolice.ca The Social Navigation Coordinator works closely with our Social Services partners within the region, assisting persons both in custody and in the community with access to supports such as housing, medical (mental health) supports, and food insecurity. 2023 by the numbers In 2023, Members of the TBPS responded to 54,694 Calls for Service. The majority of those involve our Primary Response Branch. The Branch includes the Emergency Tactical Unit, which was involved in 115 High Risk calls for service in 2023. That same year, there were a total of 2,911 motor vehicle collisions. 201 impaired driving charges were laid. 70 motor vehicle collisions involved impaired drivers. Answering the call – Economic Crime Unit Last week, TBPS issued a Scam Alert to the community regarding “Shoulder Surfers”. These are scammers who will closely watch customers when making purchases to obtain their personal identification number (PIN) before stealing the card and then using it for their own transactions. They often take advantage of seniors. Our Economic Crime Unit (ECU) monitors and responds to this type of activity. The ECU investigates crimes related to financial fraud, money laundering, corruption, and other economic offenses. Members in this unit focus on identifying, preventing, and prosecuting illegal activities that harm individuals, businesses, or the economy, such as credit card fraud, tax evasion, or investment scams. They work closely with other law enforcement agencies and financial institutions to track and investigate financial crimes. Many financial crimes are globally driven and reach around the world. It’s common for the ECU to write production orders where results go overseas. Interested in a career in policing? TBPS offers a wide range of opportunities. To learn more, visit thunderbaypolice.ca/careers. Thunder Bay Police Service Board In February, the TBPS Board completed community consultations for the Board's strategic plan, with sessions held with Indigenous youth in the community. The Board remains fully committed and guided by its core principles of transparency, accountability, and community engagement. At the February 2025 TBPS Board meeting, the Service presented updates on its ‘Procedures for Family Communications’ for victims of crime. This initiative outlines the processes by which the Service engages and maintains contact with victims and their families, even when there are limited leads or updates in ongoing cases. The full meeting highlights are available on the TBPS Board’s official website: https://thunderbaypsb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/TBPSB-Meeting-Highlights-Feb.-18-2025-1.pdf Coming up in March: The TBPS Board is proud to sponsor and participate in Lakehead University's 35th Annual Powwow March 7 -9. Learn more at https://www.lakeheadu.ca/indigenous/events/event-archive/2024/node/252421 The Board's next meeting is on Tuesday, March 18th. Submit your question anytime to news@thunderbaypolice.ca.

The Thunder Bay Police Service continues to have above national average clearance rates. This accomplishment is even more impressive in the context of crime severity in our community. The Crime Severity Index combines both how often crimes happen and how severe they are. Our community is among the highest for provincial and national crime severity. Clearance rates refer to the percentage of reported crimes that are successfully solved, usually through an arrest or charges. Clearance rates indicate how effectively our dedicated members are addressing serious crimes. Statistics Canada will publish the 2024 statistics in July of 2025. It is anticipated that TBPS Clearance Rates will remain the highest. Taking action on recommendations Over a year ago, the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA), formerly the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), acknowledged that TBPS had addressed all recommendations in the “Broken Trust” report. As recommended, the TBPS continues to have open communication and case conferences to ensure Forensic Identification Unit Officers have the information they need to conduct informed and thorough investigations. Furthermore, the TBPS has reviewed and implemented an updated Sudden Death Procedure which was informed by multiple subject matter experts and the Coroner’s Office. The LECA Complaint’s Director commended TBPS’s extensive efforts and dedication in this initiative. Did you know? The TBPS fleet includes 108 vehicles. In 2023, they travelled 1,574,730 kilometres. Answering the call – Training Unit The TBPS Training Unit is responsible for educating and preparing police officers by teaching essential skills, procedures, and tactics needed for their duties effectively and safely. It covers a wide range of topics, including law enforcement procedures, physical fitness, legal training, conflict resolution, weapons handling, and handling high-pressure situations. In 2024 TBPS officers and Special Constables were assigned to complete new training as legislated by the Canadian Safety and Policing Act (CSPA). The training, called “Navigating the Complexities of Hate – A Primer for Law Enforcement”, educates our members to respond to these incidents and offences in a way that recognizes and validates the varying nuances of trauma for individuals and communities who have experienced hate. Upon completion of Basic Constable Training at the Ontario Police College Police officers continue to receive annual training that is mandated by the CSPA as well as additional training in various areas. The training is delivered by certified instructors from the Training Unit and other Certified Instructors. Interested in a career in policing? TBPS offers a wide range of opportunities. To learn more, visit thunderbaypolice.ca/careers. Submit your question anytime to news@thunderbaypolice.ca.