TBPS officer sentenced to probation after assault conviction

Thunder Bay Police Service Cst. Andrew Frankow was sentenced Friday after being convicted of assault causing bodily harm.

Frankow was given a suspended sentence, which means he won't serve any jail time. He received two years probation and will be required to complete 150 hours of community service. 

Frankow assaulted a man in Thunder Bay in April 2022, causing him bodily harm, according to court documents obtained by CBC News. 

Frankow was suspended in June 2022. He pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty of assault causing bodily harm in September 2023.

He appeared in restorative justice court multiple times over the course of 2024, according to court documents. 

Restorative justice aims to rehabilitate offenders by considering the root causes behind the behaviours that led them to the justice system in the first place. It also attempts to get offenders to address how their actions have impacted their community, according to a 2019 press release from the provincial attorney general.

On paid suspension since 2022

Frankow has been on paid suspension from TBPS since 2022.  

Under the Police Services Act, police officers are almost always required to be paid while suspended. They can be suspended without pay if they were both convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment. 

The act was overhauled and the changes took effect last year. Now, chiefs can also suspend without pay if the officer is charged with a serious off-duty offence that could also lead to their firing, or if an officer is in custody or on bail with conditions that would interfere with their ability to do their job.

The court information sheet indicates the conditions on Frankow's probation include providing a DNA sample. The sheet does not indicate he will be subject to a weapons prohibition or driving prohibition.  

TBPS did not confirm or deny whether Frankow is still suspended or employed at the service.

"Any internal employment processes will begin following the conclusion of criminal proceedings in their entirety. Employment matters are confidential in nature unless they progress to a public hearing stage," said a TBPS spokesperson in an emailed response. 

Multiple other TBPS constables are scheduled for assault-related court appearances. 

Taylor Auger, Ryan Dougherty and Michael Moore were charged with assault causing bodily harm relating to separate alleged incidents in 2023 and 2024. Their charges all are scheduled to be addressed in March and April.

TBPS Staff Sgt. Michael Dimini is facing assault and breach of trust charges, which are scheduled for trial confirmation hearings in April and May. The court has previously dismissed one charge of assault against him.