“A fresh new start” that is the way mayor Ken Boshcoff is putting it following the hiring of Darcy Fleury, who has been tapped to take command as the Chief of Police for the Thunder Bay Police Service.
His hiring also comes less than a month after Deputy Chief Ryan Hughes was reinstated bringing the chain of command back to a full capacity, which Boshcoff believes will set the service up for success.
“It augers well for our city, so I think that we’re looking forward to getting things rolling and getting things sorted out. So you gotta feel positive.”
Fleury, a 36 year veteran of the RCMP, will spend the next month in transition with the current acting Chief of Police, Dan Taddeo, who has served in the capacity since the former Chief, Sylvie Hauth was suspended following allegations of misconduct and retired at the end of January.
That retirement allowed her to avoid a Police Services Act into those allegations.
Meanwhile the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is also weighing in on the announcement, with Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum says NAN will continue to push for improvements to policing in Thunder Bay.
“Leading the Thunder Bay Police Service at this difficult time will come with an abundance of challenges. We look forward to meeting the new Chief of Police and discussing his plans to bring systemic change to the Thunder Bay Police Service.”
Last year, Achneepineskum, along with other First Nations leaders call on Ontario’s Solicitor General to dismantle the Thunder Bay Police Service after investigations by several organizations including the Ontario Civilian Police Commission and the Office of the Independent Police Review Director.
As well as after complaints were filed against the service with the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
A ceremony to mark the change in command is set to take place in mid-May.
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