Ex-Thunder Bay police chief charged by OPP with obstruction, breach of trust

Ontario Provincial Police have charged a former chief of the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) as their investigation into the service brings forward more counts against current and former members of the force.

Sylvie Hauth has been charged with:

Hauth was suspended in 2022 after the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) brought misconduct charges against her under the Police Services Act. She retired in 2023 before those allegations could be tested in a hearing.

Hauth is the third current or onetime member of the Thunder Bay Police Service who's been charged by OPP in recent months.

Earlier this week, the OPP said it had charged former Thunder Bay police lawyer Holly Walbourne with obstruction and breach of trust offences, and Staff Sgt. Michael Dimini was charged in December with assault, breach of trust and obstruction of justice.

Hauth's last year on the job was marked by intense scrutiny and pressure from multiple directions. It included:

Hauth has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Thunder Bay on May 7, the OPP said, and its investigation remains ongoing.

TBPS's current chief says force co-operated with OPP

Current Thunder Bay police Chief Darcy Fleury and the Thunder Bay Police Service Board released statements on Friday afternoon.

Fleury said the force welcomed the investigation and has co-operated fully with OPP.

"It is another step toward resolution of this matter and our ability to wholly move forward as a police service," Fleury said. "It is my hope that community members will not allow the results of this investigation to overshadow the ongoing dedication and quality service provided by our TBPS.

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"As the justice process is carried out, we will continue on our path forward, learning from the past in order to make the most of our future."

Thunder Bay Police Service Chief Darcy Fleury issued a statement Friday saying the force welcomed and fully co-operated in the investigation. (Marc Doucette/CBC)

The statement from the oversight board "thanked the Ontario Provincial Police for its investigation" and said board members "remain seized with our mandate and collective responsibility to ensure the Thunder Bay Police Service is governed effectively so the city can have confidence in its police service.

"As a police service board, it is our job to oversee how policing is provided to the people of Thunder Bay," the statement said. "Among other roles, it is our responsibility to create policies to ensure good governance, ask critical questions to ensure the highest standards are being met and monitor the performance of the chief of police."