THUNDER BAY - A Thunder Bay Police Service officer has been charged with a criminal offence following an investigation by the Special Investigation Unit.
According to a media release issued by the SIU on Friday, Const. Andrew Frankow has been charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm.
The SIU launched an investigation following an incident that occurred on April 3, 2022. Officers responded to a transit shelter in front of Thunder Bay City Hall at approximately 4:30 p.m. after receiving reports of an unwanted person.
An interaction took place between an adult male and Frankow, resulting in the man being injured and transported to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for treatment and later released.
Joseph Martino, director of the SIU, determined there are reasonable grounds to charge Frankow with a criminal offence.
The Thunder Bay Police Service also issued a statement on Friday saying that in addition to notifying the SIU, senior command reviewed all available information relating to the incident, including body-worn camera footage.
According to the statement, Police Service chief Sylvie Hauth initiated a code of conduct investigation under the Police Services Act and suspended Frankow before the SIU started its investigation.
The code of conduct investigation will continue at the conclusion of the criminal proceedings against Frankow.
The Thunder Bay Police Service and SIU will not comment further on the incident now that the matter is before the courts.
Frankow has been with the Thunder Bay Police Service for four years. He will make his next court appearance on July 19, 2022.
