Thunder Bay police officer charged following collision last year
The Ontario Provincial Police announced the charge against a 37-year-old constable in a news release this week.
The incident occurred on Feb. 29, 2024, when a TBPS vehicle and a civilian car collided at the southern end of Neebing Avenue.
Police watchdog investigation closed, outside of mandate
According to a previous news release from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the officer had been pursuing the 31-year-old male driver for roughly four-and-a-half minutes over seven kilometres before the crash. The man was subsequently arrested and taken to hospital.
The SIU, Ontario's civilian police oversight agency, initially investigated but discontinued its probe in June 2024 after reviewing medical records. Director Joseph Martino stated no fractures or serious injuries were confirmed, meaning the incident fell outside the SIU's mandate.
The OPP took over the case at TBPS's request in July 2024.
The officer is scheduled to appear in court on May 28 to answer the dangerous operation charge.
CTV News contacted TBPS about the officer's employment status but has not received a response.
Previous disciplinary issues
The constable involved has previously faced disciplinary action.
In 2023, they pleaded guilty at a Police Services Act hearing to three counts of misconduct – discreditable conduct, insubordination, and unlawful exercise of authority – stemming from a January 2022 encounter with an Indigenous man. Body-worn camera footage showed the officer using profanity, grabbing the man's arm, and pushing him against a bus shelter.
As a result, the officer was temporarily demoted and ordered to complete Indigenous-focused training.
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