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Police board names city's new chief

The Thunder Bay Police Service has its new chief, and it’s a familiar face. The Thunder Bay Police Services Board on Tuesday officially announced deputy chief J.P.
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J.P. Levesque is the new Thunder Bay Police Services chief. (FILE)

The Thunder Bay Police Service has its new chief, and it’s a familiar face.

The Thunder Bay Police Services Board on Tuesday officially announced deputy chief J.P. Levesque will take over the department’s top job, succeeding the now retired Robert Herman.

City clerk John Hannam said the police board undertook an extensive national search, but when it came down to it, Levesque had all the qualities and qualifications they were looking for in a new chief.

"From a short list of 12 candidates, we shortened it to four," said Hannam, contacted by phone on Tuesday morning.

"That included both local and national candidates. The interviews were conducted last week and it was the unanimous decision of the board that Mr. Levesque was chosen."

Levesque will officially be confirmed at a special board meeting Wednesday morning. 

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, he’s a 24-year member of the police service, a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Lakehead University.

His background and familiarity with the community, along with his personality, were among the main reasons he was chosen, said Hannam, speaking for board chairman Joe Virdiramo, who was out of town and unavailable for comment on Tuesday.

"He understands policing in the city," Hannam said. "He's also got extensive contacts. There's also his extensive policing background and the degree of training he has is quite wide-ranging."



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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