June 2025

June 3, 2025
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.


Update from the Thunder Bay Police Service Board


At the May board meeting, the Thunder Bay Police Service Board was pleased to honour Thunder Bay Police Service Constable Paul Kainulainen with the St. John’s Ambulance Life-Saving Award.


In December 2024, while off-duty and shopping, Constable Kainulainen witnessed an elderly man on the ground— and immediately rushed to assist him. The man was not breathing and had no pulse. While a bystander contacted 9-1-1, Constable Kainulainen began performing CPR and relayed critical updates to medical dispatch through the bystander.


Shortly afterward, a store employee arrived with a defibrillator. Constable Kainulainen promptly applied the device and continued administering CPR until EMS and on-duty officers arrived on the scene. As a result of Constable Kainulainen’s decisive and skilled intervention, the man began breathing on his own, and was conscious and alive upon arrival at the hospital.


Constable Kainulainen’s swift action, composure under pressure, and commitment to public safety exemplify the highest standards of dedication and service, while demonstrating the best of what our community stands for. On behalf of our community, we thank Constable Kainulainen for his life-saving action.


Thunder Bay Police Service Community Relations Report Update to Board


In 2024, Chief Fleury and/or members of the Senior Command Team participated in 56 community events. Examples include various events in support of the Indigenous, Chinese, and 2S&LGBTQIA communities.


Coming up in June…

  • The Board will release its inaugural Annual Report (2024) by June 30th.


The Board’s next meeting is Tuesday June 17th at 10:30 AM. Watch the meeting LIVE: https://video.isilive.ca/thunderbay/live.html


When every second counts


In just one week (May 19 – 25) the TBPS Communications Centre handled a total of 4,737 calls. 1,980 of those calls came in directly through 9-1-1. TBPS is proud to support the When Every Second Counts provincewide campaign to combat 9-1-1 misuse.


Remember, 9-1-1 is for emergencies only. Let's keep the lines clear so help is available for us all when we need it! For non-emergency situations, call 807-684-1200 or submit an on-line report at www.thunderbaypolice.ca


Thunder Bay Police Service Primary Response Unit investigation leads to multiple charges

June 30, 2026
TB26025124 A Thunder Bay Police Service Primary Response Unit investigation has resulted in multiple charges. Officers were dispatched to the Victoria Avenue East area on June 29, 2026, just before 9:30 PM in response to reports of individuals using bear spray. On scene, two victims were located and the individuals received treatment from emergency services. One of the individuals was transported to a local hospital for further treatment. The involved suspects had left the scene prior to officers arriving. A search of the area led to six suspects being located and arrested. As a result of the investigation, a 17-year-old of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (two counts) · Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose · Pointing a firearm · Failure to comply with an undertaking A 15-year-old from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (two counts) · Failure to comply with release order A 16-year-old from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (two counts) · Failure to comply with release order A 14-year-old from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (two counts) · Failure to comply with release order An additional 14-year-old from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (two counts) A 17-year-old from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (two counts) The 17-year-old from Thunder Bay who is facing two charges was released from custody with a future court date. The remaining accused were remanded into custody following their first court appearances.  The identity of the accused cannot be released in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Thunder Bay Police Service investigation leads to charges

June 30, 2026
TB26024150, TB26024243 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation has led to charges. On June 23, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Unit began an investigation following a call for service regarding a stolen vehicle. Further investigation led to a stolen vehicle being located later that same day, and a suspect being identified. Officers with the Community Oriented Response and Engagement Unit located and arrested the suspect while on patrol as part of Project Support on June 24, 2026. Further investigation determined that the accused was also connected to an additional active investigation, leading to additional charges. As a result of both investigation, 32-year-old Christian NEEKAN from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (two counts) • Operation while prohibited (two counts) • Fail to comply with a probation order(two counts) • Theft of motor vehicle • Break, enter a place to commit indictable offence • Driving while under suspension (two counts) (Highway Traffic Act) The accused was remanded into custody following their first court appearance.

Thunder Bay Police Service investigation leads to seizure of an estimated $380,000 in suspected illicit drugs, firearm

June 29, 2026
TB26024146 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation has led to the seizure of suspected illicit drugs and a firearm. On June 23, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Unit responded to a business on Memorial Avenue in response to a call for service regarding an individual who may have been in possession of a firearm. Further investigation and a search of the area led to a suspect being identified, located, and arrest. The Intelligence Unit became involved in the investigation. A search of the suspect led to the seizure of a revolver style handgun, over 1.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, and over $5,000 in cash. As a result of the investigation, 22-year-old Jasiah MCNICOLLS of Richmond Hill is facing the following charges: • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – (opioid) • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm • Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm • Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm • Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with The accused was remanded into custody following their first court appearance with a future court date.