THUNDER BAY – The chair of the city’s police services board was suspended for nearly two weeks last month related to the criminal investigation against police chief J.P. Levesque, but has been reinstated after it was determined her actions did not violate code of conduct but did represent an “error in judgment.”
The Ontario Civilian Police Commission launched an investigation against Thunder Bay Police Services board chair Jackie Dojack on May 19, four days before the OPP announced Levesque was charged with obstructing justice and breach of trust.
“The OCPC became aware that the chair may have had knowledge of some of the circumstances relating to the criminal charges laid against the chief of the Thunder Bay Police Service,” reads a response from the Ontario Civilian Police Commission to an inquiry sent by tbnewswatch.com.
“The OCPC wanted to clarify what information Ms. Dojack had been aware of, what actions she took upon receiving it, and to ensure that there was no ongoing conflict of interest in her role as Chair and as a possible witness in the criminal case.”
The commencement of the investigation automatically required Dojack to step aside from her role as a member of the police services board and was not allowed to exercise her powers or duties while it was ongoing.
Dojack was reinstated on May 31, allowing her to resume her role as chair of the board.
“Based on information received by Ms Dojack, the OCPC concluded that while her actions represented an error in judgment, she had not breached the code of conduct,” the statement reads.
The response did not provide details about her alleged actions nor identify the specific error in judgment.
Levesque stands accused of disclosing confidential information relating to Thunder Bay mayor Keith Hobbs last December. The charges have not yet been proven in court. Levesque is scheduled to appear in court on June 13.
Indigenous leaders on May 31 released a statement calling on the Ontario Civilian Police Commission to “investigate and inquire into the administrative failures” of the police services board following the deaths of teens Tammy Keeash and Josiah Begg.
