First Nations leaders renewed their calls for the disbandment of Thunder Bay Police, as the former leadership of the force faces allegations in a wide-ranging misconduct investigation.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation and several First Nations leaders in Northern Ontario, along with many families who have lost loved ones in the city, stated that Thunder Bay Police are no longer capable of conducting reliable investigations.

Multiple reports since 2018 have documented systemic racism within Thunder Bay Police, illustrating how investigations into the sudden deaths of Indigenous people have been tainted by racist attitudes and stereotypes.

Thirteen of those investigations were handled so poorly that they had to be reinvestigated.

Ontario Provincial Police announced criminal charges this month against the former chief of Thunder Bay Police and another senior member.

Current Thunder Bay Police Chief Darcy Fleury pledged last week to rebuild community trust in the force.