THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay Police Services Board says over 550 citizens participated in the recent online survey related to the search for a new Chief of Police.
The confidential questionnaire contained three questions:
- What are the issues and challenges facing the TBPS today and over the next 2-3 years?
- What should the priorities be for the new Chief?
- What qualities and credentials should the new Chief have ?
The first two questions were open-ended. The third question gave participants the option to choose from several job requirements including leadership skills, management skills, financial acumen and previous experience.
Police board chair Jackie Dojack, in a prepared statement, described the response to the survey as "overwhelming."
"This input, which shows the interest and importance of the role to the community, provides the Board with valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing the new police chief and areas of expertise that the Board should be focusing on in its recruitment," Dojack said.
According to City Clerk John Hannam, who also serves as secretary of the police board, this was the first time that consultation on hiring has been conducted this way.
A consulting firm is helping the board find a permanent replacement for former chief JP Levesque.
Deputy Chief Sylvie Hauth is serving in an acting capacity.
The board hopes to complete the search process by late October or early November.
