THUNDER BAY – Accusations of inadequate death investigations and criminal charges against the suspended police chief have made for a difficult and challenging few weeks for the entire city police department.
Thunder Bay Police Services acting chief Sylvie Hauth acknowledged the controversies are likely taking a toll on officers.
“It’s challenging. It adds another layer for them, sometimes makes day-to-day a little more challenging,” Hauth said.
“I’ve been going to briefings in the last few weeks and just chatting with our officers to make sure they’re doing OK and ensuring them we’re all in this together and that they as a front line represent the service and to continue to do the job they’re doing on a daily basis.”
The police services board on Tuesday held their first public monthly meeting since it decided to place police chief J.P. Levesque under administrative suspension following the announcement of his facing criminal charges of obstructing justice and breach of trust. Those charges were laid by the OPP after a five-month investigation, alleging Levesque disclosed confidential information relating to Thunder Bay mayor Keith Hobbs.
At the same time, the police service was under fire by Indigenous leaders questioning the thoroughness of the investigations into the deaths of Tammy Keeash and Josiah Begg. The bodies of the two Indigenous teens were found in Thunder Bay waterways, with both being reportedly last seen the same night.
Investigators have said no evidence of criminality has been found in the death of 17-year-old Keeash, who was found in the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway on May 7. They have also said the investigation remains open.
The body of the 14-year-old Begg was located in the McIntyre River on May 18, nearly two weeks after his disappearance. The coroner determined the cause of death, but it has not been publicly released by police. On May 24, lead investigator Ryan Hughes said there was no evidence indicating how the teen ended up in the water.
The two cases – the sixth and seventh Indigenous teens found in city rivers since 2000 – reignite tensions simmering since the conclusion of the seven youth coroner’s inquest where Indigenous leadership accused police of not properly investigating those deaths.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler has called for the RCMP to conduct an independent investigation into the deaths of Keeash and Begg.
Police have previously said they won’t be bringing in the national police force.
Hauth, who will be participating in a community relation and reconciliation summit hosted by Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Don Rusnak, said solutions go beyond just the police service.
“The conversation has often been about the police in the last few weeks and I think in order to be successful as a community we need to really focus and see that we need to be together as a community, not just as a policing agency,” Hauth said.
“I think we are a voice at the table but we need to be there and having those conversations, maybe not even just at the city level but including the provincial and federal governments.
Police services board chair Jackie Dojack was suspended last month for two weeks while the Ontario Civilian Police Commission probed knowledge she may have had related to the Levesque charges but was reinstated after it was found her actions represented an error in judgment but did not violate code of conduct.
“We’re all community members, first and foremost,” Dojack said. “We’re serving on this board to serve the community. We’re keeping our focus on how can we best serve the community during these difficult times. I think, as long as we keep that focus, that gives us hope. Overall, this is a community we all love.”
Dojack said the board is the subject of a review by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission and will implement any recommendations that result.
The seven youth inquest recommended the police services board have an Indigenous representative. Dojack said the board has to wait for the province to fill a position that currently sits open.
“We really have no control over that appointment. We have been asking for an Indigenous person be placed in that vacant position,” Dojack said. “That’s really all we can do is to advocate that the appointment be made as quickly as possible and that the vacancy be filled by an Indigenous person.”
