THUNDER BAY — Police Chief Sylvie Hauth says she's committed to having an open dialogue with the Thunder Bay Police Association.
Hauth made the undertaking Tuesday in her first response to criticism of police leadership levelled on the weekend by the president of the TBPA, Colin Woods.
The message was directed to all members of the police service and Thunder Bay Police Services Board Chair Kristin Oliver.
Oliver had issued her own reply to the TBPA on Tuesday, and said in an interview that it's important to ensure the chief and deputy chief "are listening to the association."
Hauth noted that the Thunder Bay Police Service's recently-developed strategic plan included feedback from the police association as to the direction of the organization.
She said she's committed to working with members of the service and with the board toward achieving the goals in the plan.
"This includes having an open dialogue with members of the TBPA...as to how we can meet the expectations of the community," she said.
Hauth also acknowledged the results of the TBPA member survey last spring which Woods said revealed broad discontent with how the police service leadership has responded to members' concerns.
She said "We are a collective of diverse opinions and experiences, and combined, we are a strong organization that can face any challenge."
Message from Chief of Police Sylvie Hauth:
The following message from Sylvie Hauth, Chief of Police, was provided earlier today to all members of the Thunder Bay Police Service and to the Chair of the Thunder Bay Police Services Board:
The Thunder Bay Police Services Board released yesterday a response to the Op-Ed piece from the TBPA President. The Board Chair highlighted a major goal of the new Strategic Plan:
One of our strategic goals is to have a healthy and supported workforce and to invest in people by providing a safe and positive work environment, and enable our workforce to better serve their community. We are also working towards fostering a corporate culture of holistic health and wellness, which includes:
• Incorporating a leading-edge Health, Safety and Wellness strategy that focuses on physical, mental, emotional and cultural health.
• Providing our workforce with the necessary people, training, space and equipment to safely and effectively perform their duties.
• Working with our sworn and civilian members to immediately address their top concerns in the workplace.
This goal is one which I believe will provide a strong foundation as the Thunder Bay Police Service moves forward. The development of the Strategic Plan included feedback from you, the members of the TBPS, as to the direction of this organization.
I am personally committed to working with our members and the Board towards the goals as stated in the plan. This includes having an open dialogue with the members of the Thunder Bay Police Association and the Thunder Bay Police Senior Officers Association as to how can we meet the expectations of the community we serve. We are a collective of diverse opinions and experiences, and combined, we are a strong organization that can face any challenge. There are a number of operational priorities which are important and need to be addressed.
I would like to acknowledge the results of the TBPA member survey from this past spring and the surveys which were conducted by the Police Services Board as part of their Strategic Plan research. It is clear to me that there is great importance in listening to your concerns and aspirations for the Thunder Bay Police Service. I want you to have the resources, tools, and support you need to serve the community.
I look forward to our continued work, to make the Thunder Bay Police Service better for our sworn and civilian members and our community.
Chief Hauth
