THUNDER BAY – City police chief J.P. Levesque will return to work Monday after being suspended for more than eight months as he faced criminal charges.
The Thunder Bay Police Services Board unanimously decided to revoke the suspension during a special meeting at city hall on Friday, one day after Levesque was found not guilty of obstructing justice and breach of trust.
“Given the judgement that was delivered (Thursday) we have complete confidence that the right decision is to return the chief to his duties as quickly as possible,” board chair Jackie Dojack said after the meeting.
“We believe it’s the best use of resources of a person like the chief. It’s fairest to the taxpayers in the city, the fairest thing to the service and the fairest thing to the chief.”
Levesque had been charged last May with one count each of obstructing justice and breach of trust, accused of disclosing confidential information that Thunder Bay mayor Keith Hobbs was the subject of a criminal investigation.
Evidence presented during a trial in December showed that Levesque did inform Hobbs about the investigation, but the police chief testified it was done in what he believed to be the best interests of the police service.
“I believe the explanation provided by Levesque for telling Hobbs about the extortion allegations,” Justice Bonnie Warkentin said in her decision. “This explanation supports a finding that Levesque intended his actions to be for the good of the city of Thunder Bay and for the public.”
Questions about whether Levesque will be subjected to further disciplinary proceedings were referred to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.
Dojack said she does not have any concerns about the police service’s public image suffering as a result of reinstating Levesque as chief.
“I think that any time someone is charged the reputation does take a hit but we believe the judgement that was delivered (Thursday) was so clear in recognizing how the chief acted in the best interests of the service, of the people he serves, that he was completely exonerated,” Dojack said.
Levesque was already thinking about getting back on the job shortly after the verdict was rendered.
“I look forward to going back to work,” Levesque said outside the Thunder Bay Courthouse on Thursday.
