City police officer charged with dangerous driving

THUNDER BAY - A city police officer has been charged with dangerous driving. 

OPP issued a news release Thursday afternoon stating Peter Haase, 37, of Thunder Bay, was charged following an investigation into a two-vehicle collision involving a Thunder Bay Police Service vehicle on Feb. 29, 2024 within the City of Thunder Bay. 

OPP were asked to investigate the incident by the TBPS on July 2, 2024. 

Haase was charged on Monday and is scheduled to appear in court on May 28. 

A Thunder Bay Police Service spokesperson confirmed Haase, who holds the rank of constable, has been suspended with pay. 

The Special Investigations Unit started to investigate the incident but in June 2024, they issued a news release stating that after a review of the preliminary inquiries, including the other driver's medical records, there was insufficient evidence of serious injury within the SIU's mandate. The investigation was therefore terminated. 

The allegations against the accused have not been proven in court.

During a Police Services Act hearing in 2023, Haase pleaded guilty to one count each of discreditable conduct, insubordination, and unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority for his actions in a January 2022 encounter with an Indigenous man.

During the interaction, Haase repeatedly used profanity, grabbed the man’s arm, and pushed him up against the wall of a bus shelter.

The incident was caught on video by his partner’s body camera.

Haase was subject to temporary demotion, and ordered to attend Indigenous issues training.