Thunder Bay police discuss charges against former chief
Thunder Bay Police Service held a news conference Monday afternoon to discuss the misconduct investigation that led to criminal charges being laid against the city's former police chief.
CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca streamed the news conference live at 1 p.m.
The current police chief Darcy Fleury spoke along with Karen Machado, the chair of the police service board, about rebuilding the public's trust.
"The allegations of the past is not a reflection of the work being done today," Machado said.
"Our board will not hesitate to act on any allegations of misconduct."
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
The pair also spoke about invoking change moving foward and supporting the mental health of police service members.
Outburst during news conference
Chantelle Bryson, the lawyer who represents the group of officers and civilian employees who came forward with human rights complaints about the force, attended the news conference.
She took issue with a response made by the police board chair.
"The former board did bring complaints forward to the OCPC (Ontario Civilian Police Commission)," Machado said.
"No they didn't, that's not true," Bryson said interrupting from the audience.
"I'm sorry, I'm leaving. That' not true."
Lawyer Chantelle Bryson (right) speaks out against Thunder Bay Police Service Chief Darcy Fleury and Chair of the Police Services Board Karen Machado during a press conference in Thunder Bay, Ont. April 15, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Jackson)
"You should apologize to these service members," Bryson said standing at the front of the room at the news conference.
"To date, the board and the chief of police are supporting continuing defending the complainants in HRTO. They are indemnifying them, they have continued, since their presence, to file pleadings in the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario correspondence, correspondence to my office, calling these people liars, calling me a liar."
Lawyer Chantelle Bryson (right) speaks out against Thunder Bay Police Service Chief Darcy Fleury and Chair of the Police Services Board Karen Machado during a press conference in Thunder Bay, Ont. April 15, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Jackson)
In response, the board issued this statement:
"Ms. Bryson’s comments are factually inaccurate. The board forwarded concerns raised by former board member Georjann Morriseau to OCPC in the spring of 2021, asking them to investigate. Substantive information was shared with OCPC to assist them, leading to their subsequent investigation."
Probe into misconduct
In late 2021, the Ministry of the Attorney General asked Ontario Provincial Police to investigate allegations of misconduct involving members of the Thunder Bay Police Service.
As a result of that investigation, three people from Thunder Bay Police Service have been charged since December.
Sgt. Mike Dimini was arrested Dec. 6 and charged with two counts of assault and one count each of breach of trust by a police officer and obstructing justice.
Last week, two more people, a former lawyer and a former police chief, were both charged with obstruction, obstructing justice and breach of trust.
Holly Walbourne, 37, resigned as Thunder Bay Police Service counsel last year around the time Fleury took the position.
Sylvie Hauth became police chief in 2018 following a scathing report that found 'systemic racism' within the Thunder Bay police force that affected the death investigations involving Indigenous Peoples.
In June 2022, Hauth was suspended after "serious allegations" were made by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.
She resigned in January 2023 after 30 years of service avoiding a police misconduct hearing.
None of the criminal charges have been proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I screamed in shock and horror': Family faces deadly Vancouver hit-and-run driver during sentencing
The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.
Storm brewing in Gulf of Mexico could intensify into a hurricane, threatening Florida
A storm system brewing in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to reach tropical storm status later Saturday, with forecasters warning it could intensify into a hurricane headed to Florida next week.
WATCH LIVE @ 3:30 P.M. Video shows person break into Old Montreal building before fatal fire that killed mother, daughter
The two people who died in a major fire in Old Montreal on Friday were a mother and her seven-year-old daughter, sources told Noovo Info.
The Menendez brothers case is not the only one that's been affected by a true crime documentary
Being an armchair detective has turned into an American obsession, fueled by an abundance of true-crime content in podcasts and television series. But some of those projects have sparked actual legal developments.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.
OPP charge driver going 175 km/h on Highway 417 in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police have laid stunt charges against a driver caught speeding 75 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end.
Looking for cheap flights for the holidays? Here are some tips to remember
Travelling on a budget can be stressful, but there are ways you can ensure you're getting the best deal on flights as the holiday season approaches.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard found not guilty of sexual assault
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.