THUNDER BAY — A member of the Thunder Bay Police Service has been charged with assault causing bodily harm.
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit announced the charge Tuesday against Cst. Taylor Auger.
The SIU said it conducted an investigation into a serious injury suffered by a 33-year-old man in an incident last year.
The investigation determined that on April 11, 2023, TBPS officers arrested the man outside a May Street business for being intoxicated in a public place.
He was taken to the police station, where an interaction occurred between him and the subject officer.
The man was then transferred to hospital where he was diagnosed with a serious injury.
Cst. Auger will appear in court in early July.
According to a social media post by Thunder Bay Police, he was sworn into service in June 2019 after joining TBPS from another police service.
The charge against Auger has not been proven in court.
He has been placed on administrative duties while the legal process is underway.
The Thunder Bay Police Service said it is unable to comment further on this case since it is now before the courts.
Karen Machado, chair of the Thunder Bay Police Service Board, called the charge "deeply concerning, as is any allegation of wrongdoing by a Thunder Bay Police Service member."
In a statement, she said the board values and respects the role of the SIU as a key pillar of police accountability in Ontario.
"When charges are laid, it illustrates that the system of police oversight works," Machado said.
"As a board, we recognize our role in ensuring the highest police governance standards. Working with Chief [Darcy] Fleury, we will review the SIU's findings, when available, for areas where policies and procedures could be improved, including in areas of training. The board will not hesitate to direct action where required."
NOTE: Previous versions of this story have been updated with a statement from the Thunder Bay Police Services Board
