The Thunder Bay Police Services Investigation Final Report

The OCPC investigation was conducted in response to concerns raised by First Nations leaders from Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Grand Council Treaty 3 and the Rainy River First Nation regarding the Thunder Bay Police Services Board’s oversight of police services following a series of deaths and race-based violence against Indigenous peoples in Thunder Bay. The OCPC is an arms-length agency of the Ontario government. Senator Murray Sinclair was appointed by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) in July 2017 to investigate the Thunder Bay Police Services Board.

The Investigation was mandated to examine:

1. “The Thunder Bay Police Services Board (TBPSB)’s performance in carrying out its responsibilities pursuant to section 31(1) of the Police Services Act (“PSA”) to ensure the provision of ‘adequate and effective’ police services in Thunder Bay;
2. The TBPSB’s role in determining ‘objectives and priorities with respect to police services’ in Thunder Bay, pursuant to section 31(1)(b) of the PSA;
3. The TBPSB’s role in establishing policies for the effective management of the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS), pursuant to section 31(1)(c) of the PSA; and
4. The TBPSB’s role in ensuring that police services provided in Thunder Bay are provided in accordance with the Declaration of Principles set out in section 1 of the PSA” (Ontario Civilian Police Commission).

The Key Issue

The Board has failed to recognize and address the clear and indisputable pattern of violence and systemic racism against Indigenous people in Thunder Bay. Moreover, the Board’s failure to act on these issues in the face of overwhelming documentary and media exposure is indicative of willful blindness.

The results of this failure are clear:

1. the absence of plans and policies to address the crisis in violent crime;
2. an oversight body disengaged from its basic functions of planning, policy development and community engagement; and
3. a major municipal institution lacking many of the basic instruments of good governance and oversight.

The Thunder Bay Police Services Investigation Final Report identified 45 recommendations in the following areas:

• Board Governance Policy (10)
• Board Planning (2)
• Recruitment, Retention and Promotion (2)
• Oversight of the Chief and Deputy Chief (2)
• Communication and Transparency (3)
• Relationships with Indigenous Groups (4)
• Board and Police Training (4)
• Support to Police Boards from the Ministry Of Community Safety & Correctional Services MCSCS (6)
• Appointment of an Administrator (9
• training for new appointees (3)

https://tribunalsontario.ca/documents/ocpc/TBPSB_Investigation_Final_Report_-_EN-FINAL-1.pdf