Shocking news for the Thunder Bay police.
OPP say Chief J.P. Levesque has been charged breach of trust and obstructing justice.
OPP confirm in January they received a request from the RCMP to conduct an investigation.
As a result, Levesque will appear in Thunder Bay court June 13.
At this moment, the police board says it will not be making a public comment.
The Board has received confirmation that Chief Levesque is off work on medical leave at this time.
The Thunder Bay Police Services Board has been made aware that Chief of the Thunder Bay Police Service, J.P. Levesque, has been charged in connection with an investigation by the OPP. The Board has to date limited information regarding the nature of these charges. As this matter is before the courts we will not be making a public comment. The Board has received confirmation that Chief Levesque is off work on medical leave at this time. The public can be assured that the members of the Thunder Bay Police Service will continue to serve and protect our community. We have full confidence in Deputy Chief Hauth and our Senior Command staff to lead the TBPS through this challenging time.
Levesque’s lawyer, Brian Gover, has released a statement to our newsroom the Chief will fully co-operate in this matter and expects full vindication.
Statement on behalf of Chief of Police J.P. Levesque J.P. Levesque is a person of outstanding good character. He is known in Thunder Bay, the surrounding area and throughout the policing community as a thoughtful, progressive and compassionate leader. As a police officer, Mr. Levesque has served the people of Thunder Bay in an exemplary manner for 30 years, including as Chief of Police since July 2011. Mr. Levesque looks forward to fully responding to the allegations against him, and to his ultimate vindication
