THUNDER BAY -- Just days after Indigenous leaders called for the Thunder Bay Police Service to be disbanded and asked that major crimes involving Indigenous peoples be investigated by an outside agency, the Thunder Bay Police Services Board says it backs the police department.
The statement came after an emergency meeting was called on Saturday to discuss ongoing concerns raised in recent weeks, including multiple human rights complaints filed against Police Chief Sylvie Hauth and other members of the TBPS leadership team. The police leadership team is also under investigation by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.
"We continue to have confidence in the Thunder Bay Police Service. We recognize members of the Thunder Bay Police Service, who are showing a commitment to transforming the service while serving their community. We support these efforts in addition to the ongoing commitments to provide more training, knowledge, and skill development for members of the Service," reads a section of the unsigned statement.
"The board recognizes that the journey of rebuilding trust with the community takes time. It requires us to acknowledge the errors of the past, and the hurt it has caused, while focusing our efforts on the work set forth in our strategic plan ... The board remains united in our goal to end systemic racism within the Thunder Bay Police Service and provide leadership in rebuilding trust with our Indigenous communities. Dialogue is paramount to achieving these goals. The board is committed to building on the work that is already underway, to instill trust and transform the Thunder Bay Police Service."
The meeting was closed to both media and the public, with board secretary John Hannam citing the Police Act for going behind closed doors.
Lawyer Chantelle Bryson, who represents current board member Georjann Morriseau -- who this week announced she was taking a leave of absence from the board -- said in a tweet it's clear what needs to be done.
"Apologize and hold those responsible for abject failures accountable. Stop the PR statements and actually speak with families and leaders about the impact of the failures and the path forward. Strategic plan is nothing more than paint upon air," Bryson said.
Morriseau is one of the complainants who has filed a human rights complaint against the police chief and the police services board.
