OCPC: News Release
Ontario Civilian Police Commission Extends the Appointment of the Administrator of the Thunder Bay Police Services Board

The Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) has determined that it is necessary to extend the appointment of the current Administrator of the Thunder Bay Police Services Board (TBPSB) in order to continue to provide oversight of the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) and the delivery of police services to the community.

Effective March 9, 2023, the OCPC has issued an Order to extend the appointment of Mr. Malcolm Mercer as Administrator of the TBPSB until March 31, 2024. The term may be cancelled or extended if necessary.

The decision was based upon a review of the Original Order, the October 14, 2022 Order, the report of Mr. Mercer dated August 18, 2022, and the report of the Independent Expert Panel that led the OCPC to believe that an emergency continues to exist in the TBPSB oversight of the TBPS.

Mr. Mercer will remain in his position as Administrator to oversee the orderly transition to new leadership on the TBPSB and TBPS and to ensure good governance at both the TBPSB and TBPS level. Mr. Mercer should soon be in a position to transition to an observer role to ensure progress is being made on implementing the recommendations that were made as a result of the investigation into the TBPSB led by Senator Murray Sinclair (Commission’s 2018 Report ). Mr. Mercer will then be able to relinquish his position as Administrator once the new TBPSB and TBPS leadership are operating effectively and making progress on these important matters.

The OCPC is an independent, quasi-judicial agency. The OCPC hears appeals, adjudicates applications, conducts investigations and resolves disputes regarding the oversight and provision of policing services. The OCPC’s powers and duties come from the Police Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15. and in particular sections 22 & 25 of the PSA.