Suspension Over: Racist Facebook Posts by Thunder Bay Police Constable Rob Steudle
Today, Thunder Bay Police Chief J.P. Levesque decided Constable Rob Steudle can return to work on administrative duties, according to the Office of the Independent Review Director. On September 17, 2016 Steudle’s racist comments on Facebook that “Natives are killing Natives” were posted in response to a letter to the editor of the local paper from Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler.
Constable Rob Steudle’s comments prompted the Thunder Bay police to launch a professional standards investigation, which was handed over to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) in October.
The OIPRD investigation is expected to be wrapped up in January. It is a separate investigation from the systemic review the watchdog is undertaking to examine allegations of racism within the police service.
In The News
Police officer under investigation over Facebook comments back at work in Thunder Bay, Ont. CBC, December 16, 2016
Facebook comment adds to Thunder Bay’s battle with racism Toronto Star, September 30, 2016
Dear police: keep posting racist remarks to highlight systemic issues National News, September 30, 2016
Woman brings complaint against Thunder Bay police after disparaging comments about Indigenous people National News, September 30, 2016
Thunder Bay police investigate officers’ alleged racist Facebook comments The Globe and Mail, September 29, 2016
Thunder Bay police investigate Facebook comments deemed ‘not acceptable CBC, September 29, 2016
TBPS Professional Standards Investigation Thunder Bay Police Service, September 29, 2016
Related News
Thunder Bay police board responds to systemic review by Ontario’s police watchdog CBC, November 14, 2016
Key witnesses in probe of Indigenous man’s 2015 death not interviewed by police, fifth estate finds CBC, November 11, 2016
TBP review includes whether officers handled cases in ‘discriminatory way’ National News, November 4, 2016
Ontario police watchdog widens probe of Thunder Bay police OurWindsor, November 4, 2016
Thunder Bay cops face probe for all missing persons cases Toronto Star, November 4, 2016
Missing, murdered Indigenous women cases face systemic review in Thunder Bay, Ont CBC, November 4, 2016
Thunder Bay police under review for racism against First Nations people Sudbury, November 4, 2016
