Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have launched a legal investigation into members of the Thunder Bay Police Service.
OPP spokesperson Invoice Dickson confirmed in an e-mail to CTVNews.ca that the legal investigations department has been assigned to the matter "to make sure a whole, thorough and impartial investigation."
The investigation comes on the request of Ontario's Ministry of the Legal professional Basic, which requested the OPP to research in December 2021, Dickson stated.
"With a view to defend the integrity of the investigation and any ensuing courtroom processes it will be inappropriate to touch upon particular particulars of the case or the investigation," he stated.
"We can also't speculate on how lengthy the investigation will take or what the result might be."
Thunder Bay Police Companies Board Chair and metropolis councillor Kristen Oliver advised CTVNews.ca over the cellphone that the board has no details about the scope of the investigation, together with the allegations, past that the OPP is responding to a request from the legal professional normal.
"It might be inappropriate for the Ministry of the Legal professional Basic to touch upon the character of the request or scope of the allegations," a ministry spokesperson stated in an e-mail.
The spokesperson directed questions associated to the investigation to the OPP, saying police are "impartial" of the ministry and decide whether or not to research any matter.
"At this level, I can share that the board is worried to listen to of the investigation however is respectful of the method that the OPP is engaged in," Oliver stated.
She added that the board can be involved that particular person members of the police service are having their names "publicly hooked up" to the matter, particularly on social media, opposite to confidentiality guidelines within the Police Companies Act.
Chris Adams, director of communications for the Thunder Bay Police Service stated they don't seem to be conscious of the main points of the OPP's investigation.
"We count on that any member of the TBPS would cooperate absolutely with an investigation by the OPP," Adams stated in an e-mail.
"Since an investigation is underway, we won't remark additional within the curiosity of due course of."
The information of the OPP investigation comes after the Ontario Civilian Police Fee introduced its investigation into the Thunder Bay Police Service earlier this month.
The fee says it has considerations with the "administration of self-discipline within the police service, the conduct of legal investigations by its officers, and the flexibility of senior management to manage the day-to-day operations of the police service in good religion and in compliance with the Police Companies Act."
Amongst these allegations are that Deputy Chief Ryan Hughes launched a legal investigation right into a police board member for alleged breach of belief, that police Chief Sylvie Hauth "didn't take applicable steps" to handle it and that she misinformed the board concerning the investigation.
Each are accused of additionally colluding with a lawyer in getting ready their responses to the fee on earlier events.
On Jan. 28, the board introduced that Hughes had been suspended pending an "inside investigation."
A Thunder Bay Police Service automobile is seen on this undated photograph. (File Picture)
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