OPP respond to First Nations concerns surrounding death of Stacy DeBungee

OPP have responded to comments made at a news conference at the end of May by First Nations leaders, involving the investigation of the death of Stacy DeBungee, as well as concerns about policing in Thunder Bay, Ont.

OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes said in a statement that he wants to "clarify the role and responsibilities of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) with regard to investigations outside of its jurisdiction and to address inferences made at a news conference in Toronto."

Chiefs from Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), Grand Council Treaty #3 and Rainy River First Nations asked for the RCMP to investigate the deaths of two teenagers, Josiah Begg and Tammy Keeash. They pointed out there was a "flawed" investigation in the death of Stacey DeBungee, a member of Rainy River First Nations.

First Nations leaders wanted the OPP to take over the investigation of DeBungee's death as of last fall.

Hawkes said the OPP would only provide investigative services to another police force, "at the request of that police service leader."

Hawkes also stated that, "If the OPP undertakes an investigation at the request of another police leader or on behalf of a third-party agency such as the Office of the Independent Police Review Directorate (OIPRD), the final report, is provided to the requesting agency."

"It would be up to that agency or its leadership to determine whether to make public the results of the report."

Second Request

Hawkes said the OPP recently completed a review of the investigation relating to the death of Stacy DeBungee, which was referred to the OPP from the Chief of Thunder Bay Police. That report is now in the hands of Thunder Bay Police.

OPP originally told Thunder Bay Police in the fall that they could not review the investigation of DeBungee while an OIPRD investigation was underway, following a request from Thunder Bay Police Chief J.P. Levesque.

OPP told CBC News a second request was made by Thunder Bay Police to conduct a review of the investigation into  the death of DeBungee late in 2016. OPP then contacted the OIPRD to determine if they could indeed review the case during the directorate's investigation. The OIPRD said the review would not impact its work and the OPP undertook the review.

The OIPRD is still conducting a "systemic review of the Thunder Bay Police Service's practices for policing Indigenous peoples."

The goal of that review is to determine if systemic failings have occurred, and to make recommendations to address those failings, and to help restore and enhance public confidence in police and policing.