The images were posted on social media on Saturday. According to the person who posted the photos, he and his daughter went to Marina Park to pay their respects to the sudden death victim, who he said was his daughter’s best friend. He also noted that the deceased was a native. Once he arrived at the scene, where three marked police vehicles and two unmarked vehicles were standing watching the scene, the man said he saw police taking pictures in front of the crime scene, noting that everyone was laughing. “I feel sick for the Thunder Bay police for the lack of respect. I told him [I] I got it all on video and I’ve never seen a police officer so embarrassed and he just said “I’m so sorry sir”. The wedding party stopped laughing.” A spokesman for Thunder Bay Police said there was no disrespect intended. “It is our understanding that the bride was in a relationship with a retired TBPS officer. This was an impromptu situation where the bride approached the officer and asked to take a photo in the cruiser. There was no intent to cause any humiliation or disrespect to anyone or the scene being held yet,” Chris Adams said Monday in an emailed statement. Thunder Bay police have been accused of systemic racism in reports filed by both the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) and Senator Murray Sinclair. As a result, several murder investigations involving indigenous victims were also ordered to be reviewed. In recent months, several human rights complaints have been filed against the Thunder Bay Police Services Board and police leadership. In addition, Thunder Bay Police Chief Sylvie Hauth is also under suspension, facing allegations of misconduct by the OCPC . TBNewswatch has reached out to the Thunder Bay Police Services Board for comment, but has yet to hear back. — TBNewswatch.com
