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


Investigation into the use of bear spray at local annual fair leads to multiple charges

August 12, 2026
TB26031133

Intelligence Unit drug trafficking investigation leads to charges

August 11, 2026
TB26030742 A Thunder Bay Police Service drug trafficking investigation has resulted in charges. As part of the investigation, Intelligence Unit officers searched a home in the Pearl Street area on August 4, 2026. During the search, two individuals were located and arrested. Quantities of suspected cocaine, cash, and items associated with drug trafficking were also seized. As a result of the investigation, 38-year-old Crystal IDZI from Thunder Bay and 46-year-old Micheal MOCK of Thunder Bay are facing the following charges: • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000 Both of the accused were remanded into custody following their first court appearance.

Thunder Bay Police Service response to weapons call leads to charges

August 10, 2026
TB26031031 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation has resulted in charges. Officers with the Primary Response Unit were dispatched to the Syndicate Avenue South and Donald Street East area around 10:00 AM on August 6, 2026, in response to multiple reports regarding a stabbing. On scene three victims were located. One individual was transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries, which are considered not to be life-threatening. The Break, Enter, and Robbery Unit became involved in the investigation. Further investigation led to a suspect being identified. A search of the area led to the suspect being located and arrested. As a result of the investigation, 45-year-old Lazarus YELLOWHEAD of Webequie First Nation is facing the following charges: • Aggravated assault • Assault with a weapon • Assault • Resist peace officer • Failure to comply with a release order The accused was remanded into custody following their first court appearance.