Thunder Bay police board responds to systemic review by Ontario's police watchdog

The chair of the Thunder BayPolice Services Board says a sweeping review of the police service is an opportunity to learn.

Ontario's police watchdog the Office of the Independent Police Review Director is conducting a systemic review of the way the Thunder Bay police investigates the disappearances and deaths of Indigenous peoples.

It comes after complaints that Thunder Bay police "devalueIndigenous lives," according to a Nov. 3 news release from the agency.

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The five-person board is responsible for setting the objectives and priorities of the police service.

Board members are "all residents of Thunder Bay, so we really want to have a safe and inclusive community for all people in Thunder Bay," Dojack said.

The board met with the police review director last week and members will consider being interviewed individually, and attending community meetings organized as part of the review, Dojack said.

It's expected to be completed by spring, 2017.

"There will be recommendations and so we will take them very seriously," she said.

Meanwhile, Dojack said the board will discuss a letter from the Ontario Human Rights Commission in closed session, as part of its public meeting on Tuesday.

The letter asks the Thunder Bay Police Service and its board to publicly commit to a new human rights strategy.

• Ontario Human Rights Commission seeks commitment from Thunder Bay police