The Thunder Bay Police Services Board (TBPSB) will hold an emergency meeting this weekend.
The move was in response to growing calls from Indigenous groups to disband the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS).
Board Chair Kristen Oliver put out a statement Wednesday afternoon, adding “Our work to transform the Thunder Bay Police Service and address the deep systemic issues is ongoing. I, as Board Chair, understand more work needs to be done to rebuild our relationships with Northwestern Ontario Indigenous leaders and people. Without trust in law enforcement from our community, the system doesn’t work. Ensuring investigative integrity among cases, especially involving our Indigenous communities, is paramount to rebuilding trust.”
The Board will meet Saturday to address the concerns brought forward by Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, and Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa.
“Trust is broken, and everyday Thunder Bay Police Service remains in control of major crime investigations involving Indigenous people,” noted Chief Niganobe, who added nothing further is being done following systemic racism being identified in the Broken Trust Report.
The leaders want Thunder Bay Police to stop doing any further criminal investigations.
“We have known about the racism of the Thunder Bay Police Services for years,” noted Deputy Grand Chief Achneepineskum. “They have had more than enough time and evidence to ensure that they take action but they have failed.”
This call comes on the heels of board member Georjann Morriseau announcing a leave of absence until the end of April.
The Board is facing several complaints filed to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
Senior leadership are under the microscope of the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) while Ontario Provincial Police is investigating the actions of other members of the force.
