Police officer under investigation over Facebook comments back at work in Thunder Bay, Ont.

The suspension is over, but the investigation continues into the conduct of a Thunder Bay police officer who posted offensive comments on Facebook in September.

Thunder Bay police confirmed on Thursday that Const. Rob Steudle returned to work this week, on administrative duties. 

Steudle's comments that "Natives are killing Natives" were posted in response to a letter to the editor of the local paper from Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler.

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The comments prompted Thunder Bay police to launch a professional standards investigation, which was handed over to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) in October.

The request to the OIPRD was made to ensure public confidence and transparency in this process, and to recognize the compelling public interest in this matter, Thunder Bay police said in a statement at the time.

The OIPRD investigation is expected to be wrapped up in the new year. It is a separate investigation from the systemic review the watchdog is undertaking to examine allegations of racism within the police service.

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The decision to allow an officer who is under investigation by the OIPRD to return to work lays with the chief of police, said OIPRD spokesperson Rosemary Parker.

The investigation into Steudle's conduct could result in an informal resolution or, if it is deemed more serious, discipline could be pursued under the Police Services Act, according to the OIPRD.

Four other police officers were assigned to administrative duties in connection with the investigation into the Facebook comments.

Those officers have returned to regular duties.

"Their matters have been dealt with internally," said Thunder Bay police executive officer, Chris Adams. "We cannot discuss that process due to issues of privacy."

Ottawa officer demoted

Police in Ottawa took a different approach to dealing with comments by one of its officers in the comment section of the Ottawa Citizen in September.

Sgt. Chris Hrnchiar was demoted to constable for three months and ordered to undergo sensitivity training for making racist online comments about the death of Inuk artist Annie Pootoogook.

Hrnchiar pleaded guilty in November to two counts of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act. One charge relates to knowingly using racist comments and the other centres on commenting about an open investigation.

​After Hrnchiar's hearing, Ottawa Police Association head Matt Skof spoke about the goal for police members to hold a bias-neutral mentality.

• Ottawa officer demoted for racist comments about Annie Pootoogook

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