Police officer in Thunder Bay, Ont., promoted despite being subject of criminal investigation: sources, lawyer
CBC
A senior officer with the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) in northern Ontario was promoted to staff sergeant with the uniform patrol branch despite being investigated for allegations of criminal activity, according to sources who provided interviews to provincial police as part of an investigation.
Michael Dimini was promoted effective March 10, according to an internal email sent by police Chief Sylvie Hauth that was obtained by CBC News.
Dimini was among at least five officers who made sergeant or staff sergeant as part of a promotions competition, which came despite ongoing turmoil at the TBPS. That includes several external investigations into members and leaders in the service, growing human rights complaints against senior officers and the service's oversight board, and calls by Indigenous leaders for the disbandment of the force. Before the promotions process even began, it faced opposition from the union.
Now, current and former TBPS staff and members of the public say the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating Dimini.
Four of those contacted by CBC News said they provided "extensive evidence" during hours of OPP interviews regarding allegations of improper conduct in the course of Dimini's police duties. The four spoke on the condition they not be named or their employment status be given, because of concerns about possible retaliation and fears for their safety.
"We're supposed to uphold the law and protect people, and I think he totally violated this [person's] rights," said a police officer who has worked with Dimini.
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An OPP spokesperson confirmed on Feb. 22 that "the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch has been assigned to ensure a complete, thorough and independent investigation into allegations related to members of the Thunder Bay Police Service." The spokesperson would not provide any details of the investigation, including when it may have started, and did not confirm if Dimini is a subject of the investigation.
Thunder Bay police spokesperson Chris Adams added the service also did not know who the OPP is investigating.
Still, sources said they are worried about speaking out because they believe others have faced retribution after bringing forward complaints about Dimini, and have not seen any disciplinary action taken against the senior officer.
After hearing about Dimini's promotion, a civilian source who was interviewed as part of the OPP investigation said "my trust is completely broken — like when I see a police car now, I think the worst, which is really sad because there's lots of [other officers] that are … working hard and want to do good."
While the OPP has not confirmed which member or members of the TBPS are being investigated, CBC News obtained an email from Thunder Bay-based lawyer Chantelle Bryson to Ontario's attorney general that's dated Dec. 1, 2021, and includes a range of allegations of "potential criminal conduct" by Dimini.
The email alleges Dimini engaged in criminal activities and they were ignored or covered up by senior officers in the force.
"The allegations include assault, racial assault, drug dealing, affiliation with organized crime. The list goes on — intimidation, threats, vandalism," Bryson said in an interview with CBC News.