THUNDER BAY – CBC News is reporting that Sen. Murray Sinclair will recommend dismantling the Thunder Bay Police Services Board for one year and replace it with an administrator.
Sinclair will release his final report detailing his investigation into civilian police oversight online on Friday at 2 p.m., according to an Ontario Civilian Police Commission spokeswoman.
He was appointed by the OCPC in July of last year, after concerns were raised by Indigenous leaders.
Dougall Media has not independently verified the network's findings, which the public broadcaster said were confirmed through a number of different sources.
CBC said the report says the board has done nothing to end distrust between the city’s Indigenous population and police, calling it an emergency.
The news organization also reports there isn’t policy in place to deal with a crisis in violent crime, calling the board “disengaged from its role.”
Earlier this month the new police services board was sworn in, naming Celina Reitberger as its first Indigenous chair. Mayor Bill Mauro and first-term Coun. Kristen Oliver were also named to the board.
CBC says the report says the board has not done enough to ensure Indigenous people have proper input into how policing is conducted in the city, adding they are also underrepresented in the department.
Oliver, contacted on Thursday afternoon, said she hadn't yet seen the report, and as a result, was unable to comment.
