The province is getting involved in the ongoing back and forth in policing in Thunder Bay.
In an email statement Monday night, spokesperson Stephen Warner with the Office of the Solicitor General, stated that a request has been made to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) to investigate the Chief, Deputy Chief, as well as the administration of the Thunder Bay Police Service.
The move is allowed under the Police Services Act.
“It is important to note that the Ministry of the Solicitor General does not have legislated authority to direct change or impose sanctions on boards or police services,” Warner noted. “The Ontario Civilian Police Commission has certain authority in the Police Services Act available for intervention in relation to misconduct and the administration of the police service. As there are pending complaints before the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and Ontario Civilian Police Commission, I am not able to provide further comment at this time.”
On Saturday, Thunder Bay Police Association (TBPA) President Colin Woods released a statement indicating that Chief Sylvie Hauth and the Thunder Bay Police Services Board (TBPSB) seem more worried about getting a new building approved and not on the very serious issues that are happening within.
Hauth responded by saying that with issues that are before outside Tribunals, public remarks should be limited while these matters are being reviewed.
