Thunder Bay Police Service

The Thunder Bay Police Service is a law enforcement agency that operates in Thunder Bay.

The service works alongside paramedics and the Thunder Bay Fire Department to respond to emergencies. As of October 2026, the service had not found the person responsible for the 1992 murder of Sandra Johnson.

The name appears in the Lakehead University Alumni Spotlight profiles of Lorne Clifford, Stephanie Drost and Sharon Johnson.

In Anishinabek News

• April 2016: John Fox expressed doubt that the service would investigate reports of men attempting to kidnap Aboriginal women in Thunder Bay. The service was accused of not having the interests of First Nations people in mind.
• May 2017: The public was asked to contact this service with any information regarding the whereabouts of Josiah Begg.
• October 2017: The Office of the Independent Police Review held a public meeting in September 2017 to discuss allegations of racism within the service. The service's policies and attitudes regarding investigations into missing and deceased Indigenous people were under review as of October 2017.
• October 2017: The service is the subject of a systemic review by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director regarding its handling of Indigenous death investigations. Community members at a public meeting called for members of the force to address issues of racism and bias to improve relations with Indigenous residents. The review examines the practices, policies, and attitudes of the service in relation to Indigenous people in Thunder Bay.
• December 2017: The service has an Executive Committee on Aboriginal and Diversity Issues. Celina Reitberger has advocated for individuals who had difficulties dealing with this police service.
• March 2018: A team from this service played against Special Olympics participants during a 2018 community sports event. Peter Collins described the service as a contributor that helps youth with disabilities in the City of Thunder Bay.
• July 2018: Acting Chief Sylvie Hauth represented the service at a 2018 event supporting youth mental health awareness. The service acknowledged the importance of the Hope in the Darkness Walk for Youth Mental Health in relation to their own work.
• December 2018: An officer from the service was filmed forcefully pushing down a youth from Nibinamik First Nation who was immobilized on a gurney. Glen Hare argued that the service has failed to protect the citizens it is sworn to serve. The service's chief ordered an internal investigation into the 2018 incident following the release of a social media video.
• December 2018: An officer from this service was filmed slapping an impaired youth who was being detained on a stretcher. The conduct of the officer involved in the 2018 incident led to calls for immediate answers from Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Anishinabek Nation.
• December 2018: A report released in December 2018 found that systemic racism exists at an institutional level within the force. The service was found to have significant deficiencies in sudden death investigations involving Indigenous people due to racial stereotyping. Perry Bellegarde stated the service must work with First Nation leadership to rebuild trust and implement recommendations from the Broken Trust report.
• December 2018: A report concluded that systemic racism is rampant within the force and its personnel hold racist attitudes. The service was criticized for sloppy work and premature conclusions that deaths of Indigenous citizens were accidental or not suspicious. As of December 2018, authors argued that the force must fire racist employees and implement mandatory cross-cultural training to regain the cooperation of the Indigenous community.
• December 2018: The service was the subject of a systemic review report titled Broken Trust: Indigenous People and the Thunder Bay Police Service. Investigations into the service were conducted by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director.
• December 2018: Reports by Murray Sinclair and Gerry McNeilly found that systemic racism exists within the service at an institutional level. The service was criticized for its handling of deaths and race-based violence against Indigenous citizens in Thunder Bay. Anishinabek Nation leaders sought a more effective long-term relationship between the service and surrounding First Nations.
• December 2018: A report by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director addressed allegations of systemic racism within the force. The service was criticized for inefficiencies in how it investigated the deaths of Indigenous people.
• December 2018: Michele Solomon noted that investigative reports confirmed the existence of systemic racism within the police force. Peter Collins called for the federal and provincial governments to provide proper resourcing for the service.
• January 2019: The service was the subject of a report by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director mentioned in 2018.
• January 2019: An investigation found that systemic racism exists within the service. The Thunder Bay Police Services Board apologized for failing to properly oversee the service's engagement with Indigenous people.
• September 2019: The service did not receive a grade in the Year Three Report Card, which was also the case in the Year Two Report Card.
• June 2020: A 2018 report by the Office of the Independent Review Director found that institutional systemic racism exists within this police service.
• September 2020: The service arrested Brayden Bushby in early 2017 following a trailer hitch assault on two sisters. Glen Hare suggested that the investigation into the death of Barbara Kentner was an example of weak and sloppy work fueled by racism.
• December 2020: The service arrested an 18-year-old man in early 2017 and charged him with aggravated assault following an incident involving a trailer hitch.
• February 2022: The Ontario Provincial Police announced a criminal investigation into the actions of members of this service in February 2022. As of February 2022, nine individuals have filed human rights complaints against the service and its board alleging harassment and discrimination. Leadership within the service, including Sylvie Hauth and Ryan Hughes, is the subject of an inquiry by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.
• March 2022: Indigenous leaders called for the Ontario government to take immediate action regarding this service in March 2022. Existing oversight investigations were described as ineffective at stopping violence against Indigenous people in Thunder Bay.
• March 2022: Indigenous leaders called for the Solicitor General of Ontario to dismantle this service due to systemic racism and a lack of public trust. The service is accused of having a history of inadequate investigations, a negligently managed records system, and a lack of substantive oversight. As of March 2022, leaders requested that the service be immediately barred from conducting major crime investigations.
• June 2022: The Anishinabek Nation worked with Provincial Territorial Organizations to address issues regarding this police service in early 2022. Advocacy regarding the service included a press conference held at Queen's Park on March 30, 2022.
• June 2023: The service is led by Darcy Fleury, who took office in May 2023. The organization hosted public town halls in May 2023 to gather input on managing addictions, homelessness, and organized crime.
• October 2023: The service's chief, Darcy Fleury, discussed the results of a 2022 citizen satisfaction survey during a public safety panel.
• January 2024: The service failed to respond to an initial emergency call regarding a domestic situation on December 30, 2023. The Special Investigations Unit is investigating the service's handling of a case involving the death of Jenna Ostberg. The Anishinabek Nation stated that the service has a history of systemic racism and negligence toward Indigenous people in Thunder Bay.
• February 2024: The service was the first to host a Tree of Hope in front of its building in 2019. The organization's tree featured 4,000 red lights to represent missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls across the country.
• March 2024: The Anishinabek Nation executive participated in an Indigenous Leadership Forum with the service to convey vital messaging. Leadership expressed a desire for tangible solutions to historic problems that continue to impact the Indigenous population in the city and surrounding area. Reg Niganobe and Mel Hardy met with the service's board in February 2024 to discuss necessary improvements.
• June 2024: The service joined a partnership with Indigenous organizations to improve the protection of Indigenous women and girls. Chief Darcy Fleury described the collaborative, Indigenous-led approach as a progressive step for community safety.
• July 2025: A detective from the service delivered a presentation on the prevention of elder abuse during a July 2025 conference. The service advised Elders to be cautious about sending money and to consult with police if they have doubts about financial requests. The presentation was coordinated in partnership with Age Friendly Thunder Bay.
• May 2026: Detectives from the service spoke about the challenges of building rapport with survivors of human trafficking. The service prioritizes helping individuals exit trafficking and enter treatment programs over immediate enforcement.
• July 2026: The service was represented by Acting Chief Jeremy Pearson at a local charity fundraiser for food security.