Together Building Better

A New Plan for Modernized Policing

Local policing is increasingly demanding and complex. Thunder Bay needs a modern-day response to the policing challenges we face now and in the future.

The Thunder Bay Police Service has developed a progressive plan to modernize policing. It is a forward-thinking approach that promotes improved public safety and wellness, better services to victims, supports employee health and retention, and rebuilds trust through community collaborations.

To transform local policing, a new police campus is essential. The current building at 1200 Balmoral Street cannot be upgraded, renovated, or expanded to provide the must-have police and community resources that are fundamental to success.

Prioritizing Investments in Core Public Services

The proposal for a new police campus is not a want, it’s a need. One that requires immediate investment in the core police infrastructure and services we all rely on.

The members of the Thunder Bay Police Service are working 24/7, 365 days a year, without adequate facilities and resources to keep the public and themselves safe. This cannot continue.

A new police campus would offer a welcoming, inclusive and community service-oriented facility to better serve the public and Thunder Bay Police Service employees.

The Ask

The Thunder Bay Police Service has recieved board approval to seek $56 million in their capital budget from Thunder Bay City Council for the design and construction of a new police campus in Thunder Bay. The proposal is responsible, cost-effective, and accountable to the citizens of Thunder Bay. 

A new building provides better opportunities for police service innovation, resource efficiencies and savings through co-location or shared services with current and future community partners.

Building for Better Policing

The list of deficiencies, limitations and serious health & safety liabilities at the Balmoral Street facility is long. Effective policing requires the right space, equipment, technologies, and resources. Building for better policing will address the following needs and more:

• Enhanced security and privacy, and increased prisoner holding cells
• Ventilated labs for processing illicit and hazardous substances such as fentanyl
• Adequately soundproof interview rooms
• A fire and water protected Property and Stores area for the safe storage of evidence and records
• A Next Generation 911 Hub with capacity for advanced mobile, text and video technology capabilities
• More space for specialized cybercrime technology
• Spaces to ensure privacy and respect for victims of crime
• A Police training centre
• A use-of-force, firearms and shooting range
• Collaborative and multifunctional community meeting spaces
• Indigenous and culturally welcoming facilities
• Barrier free and Accessibility compliant infrastructure
• Sufficient washrooms and locker rooms
• Appropriate and functional workstations for all on-duty sworn and civilian employees

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Prioritizing Employee Health & Retention

Learn more about the need for a new police campus from local Thunder Bay Police Service employees.

Community Support

The Thunder Bay Police Service has received formal letters of support from various community partners and agencies, including:

Matawa First Nations Management; Beendigen; CMHA Thunder Bay; NorWest Community Health Centre; Salvation Army; Thunder Bay Counselling; Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre; Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre; Thunder Bay Multi Cultural Association

Want to Learn More?

Download and review the various reports associated with the case for a new Thunder Bay Police Service campus. Please be aware that clicking the card links below will begin an automatic download of the associated files, which you can find the files in .pdf format in your download folder.  Some links may bring you to a Dropbox folder containing the associated file, which you can view or download at your leisure.