THUNDER BAY – UPDATED – Thunder Bay Police Service Chief J.P. Lesveque is facing criminal charges for breach of trust, and obstruction of justice.
The charges come following an investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police who launched their investigation in January at the request of the RCMP.
In a news release issued by the Ontario Provincial Police the investigation was referred to a qualified major case manager with the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch.
The Chief of Police is currently on medical leave according to the City of Thunder Bay.
Chief Lesveque’s attorney has released a statement on behalf of his client: “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”.
The Police Services Board, the civilian oversight for the Thunder Bay Police Service have issued a statement following the Charges:
“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 who is fifty-three-years old is scheduled to appear in court on June 13th 2017.
The charges have not been proven in court.
Breach of Trust: Breach of trust by public officer Sections 122 Every official who, in connection with the duties of his office, commits fraud or a breach of trust is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, whether or not the fraud or breach of trust would be an offence if it were committed in relation to a private person.
Obstruction of Justice: 139(1) Every one who wilfully attempts in any manner to obstruct, pervert or defeat the course of justice in a judicial proceeding, (a) by indemnifying or agreeing to indemnify a surety, in any way and either in whole or in part, or (b) where he is a surety, by accepting or agreeing to accept a fee or any form of indemnity whether in whole or in part from or in respect of a person who is released or is to be released from custody, is guilty of (c) an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or (d) an offence punishable on summary conviction.
