Thunder Bay Police Service
THUNDER BAY, Ont. -- City police officers will head north on the winter roads on Family Day, beginning a weeklong project that will have them visit four remote Far North communities.
While this will be the first time members of the Thunder Bay Police Service travel along the winter road system, the Far North engagement initiative has been an ongoing project for more than four years.
The project’s goal is to build relationships with members of outlying communities who rely on Thunder Bay for various services.
Students, who are often sent hundreds of kilometres away from their home to this city to complete high school, are the top priority.
“These parents have to make a tough decision,” said Thunder Bay Police Service’s Community Services Branch Insp. Ryan Gibson.
“I’m a parent, so if I was in their shoes I would have a number of questions. Are my boys going to be safe? Are they going to be looked after?”
Engagement opportunities like these give officers a chance to speak directly to future students, parents, grandparents and other community members.
Officers will make formal presentations about staying safe in a city like Thunder Bay, or engage in less formal conversations during recreational activities.
During these conversations or presentations officers can speak candidly about dangers unique to larger urban centres, and what services and opportunities are available to help ensure a student can live and continue their education safely.
“We, as the municipal police service, want the parents to know that we are there to help provide support,” Insp. Gibson said.
During this road trip, officers will visit Neskantaga First Nation, Nibinamik First Nation, Webequie First Nation and Eabametoong First Nation.
Just like other trips north, this trek along the winter roads wouldn’t be logistically possible for the service to pull off alone. These northern tours have always been executed with the assistance of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, and officers from that agency will again be assisting local police navigate the ice roads and connect with communities.
Other partners assisting with this initiative include the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Matawa Learning Centre and various Matawa First Nation communities.
“We’ve been doing programs with the Northern communities for a long time,” said NAPS Cst. Robert MacPhail.
“It’s always been beneficial for all parties involved. With the (Thunder Bay Police Service) jumping on board it’s just great for everyone because now people won’t just see a badge they will get to know (police officers) by name.”
Giving people in the community a chance to know the officers on a first-name basis is an important step toward establishing and building trust.
When students who move to Thunder Bay for education or other services move to or visit the city, they will arrive knowing TBPS community service offices by name.
“So that barrier is taken away and we can move forward together,” he said.
Officers will leave behind floor hockey equipment at each of the communities they visit. This tour has been funded in part by the Ontario Community Development Grant.