Chief Levesque- First Draft

As I stepped into the warmth, I was greeted with the aroma of steeped tea and new leather. The lights were turned dim; the reception room was lit using only two lamps and the minuscule traces of sun light that could squeeze under the office doors. It was warm and inviting. A small woman with dark hair met me at the door, offering a smile and a hand to take my coat. “Would you like something to drink?” she asked, as she hung up my parka, crisp from the frigid cold. I shook my head politely as she approached the doorway to one of the offices. “Chief, are you ready for her?”

His handshake was gentle and careful as he formally introduced himself: J.P. Levesque, Chief of the Thunder Bay Police. The Chief wore his classic white button up shirt detailed with badges and crests tightly aligned, a pin-straight, skinny black tie and pressed black dress pants; his cap sat daintily on top of the file cabinet. As I entered his office I was taken aback. The large office was open and inviting with a panoramic view of Balmoral Street; the windows stretched wide from floor to ceiling and were accompanied by fresh, black leather sofas, lush green plants and proudly-hung hockey paintings. The room smelled of new car and tea; the room was professional and classy.

Chief Levesque and I sat down at the sleek black table in the far corner of his office; he was smiling. “So how come you chose me for your profile?” he inquired. He had beat me to it. “Well, as police Chief, you obviously have a very significant and distinct job here in Thunder Bay,” I began, “your job comes with a demand for dedication and although I acknowledge your position as Police Chief, I’m more interested in how your career intersects with your personal life…” I stated. The Chief grinned, “ok…” I could hear the amusement in his voice. I went on to explain the lack of information available to the public regarding his personal life to which he laughed, “that’s done on purpose.” I chuckled, but I was unable to read his response; would he share this information with me? “well, to begin the interview, could you tell me a bit about your personal life?”

J.P. Levesque lives in Thunder Bay with his wife to whom he’s been married to for “20-lots years” and his two daughters who attend Lakehead U. In addition to his family, Levesque loves sports. He is dedicated to coaching women’s hockey and soccer leagues, even after his two daughters have out-grown the teams. The Chief enjoys going golfing, watching football and coaching his favourite hockey team, the Habs from the comfort of his couch. Levesque grew up in Thunder Bay; he has learned to value and appreciate the city and each member of its’ community. While pursuing his hockey career throughout his youth, Levesque bounced around different towns but he has always returned to this city he calls home. The reasoning behind Levesque’s decision to remain in Thunder Bay throughout his whole life is credited to both his family and the city itself.

Levesque has been Thunder Bay’s police chief for nearly five years after being sworn in July 2011. Levesque worked with the police force for 24 years before becoming Chief; however, his future was not always clear. Growing up, his first love was hockey; like many other teenage boys, he dreamed and believed he would find his future career through professional hockey. However, as he grew older, his hockey career began to slow; at the age of 20, the best opportunity Levesque could receive was a try-out for a “semi-pro” team based in Alberta, one he had never even heard of: a subtle wake-up call that he was in need of a better plan for his future. Although Levesque followed a different path for his future, his love for hockey continues as he coaches women’s league and proudly displaces goalie portraits throughout his office.

Levesque’s involvement with the force began with his job at the correctional center in Thunder Bay. After working with adult convicts for a small period of time, Leveque moved on to work with the youth at the center, finding it much more rewarding and satisfying. However, as time pressed on, so did his desire for further immersion in this unknown realm. Soon after, Levesque applied to the OPP but was turned down, resulting in his application to the city police force in Thunder Bay. A large portion of Levesque’s motivation to follow a career within the police force derived from his family’s legacy within this public sector; Levesque’s father, grandfather and older brother all occupy careers within the force. There is a group portrait of the three uniformed men, displayed on Levesque’s office cabinet and is pointed to proudly with any mention of the force.

One of the biggest changes Levesque has faced since becoming Police Chief was his increased presence in the public eye. “I remember being in the grocery store one time,” his story began, “and an older gentleman pushing a cart walked by me… He stopped and turned to me and said ‘was that an illegal U-turn Chief?’” Levesque chuckled, looking down. “It takes a lot of getting used to” he said as he pondered the event. Levesque further explained the hellos and how are yous that he receives on a daily basis while out in public. Since becoming Chief, Levesque has truly become a public figure; he works with the financial aspects of the force, creating budgets and plans and speaking at meetings and public clubs. Chief Levesque writes all of his own speeches, which is something he takes pride in. However, one of these speeches, a eulogy he recited at a colleague’s funeral, has played a key role in his growth as a member of the force and as a man.

Constable Joseph Prevett, one of the K-9 handlers at Thunder Bay’s police department, passed away May of 2014 while attending training in Southern Ontario. Prevett’s family asked the chief to speak at his funeral. “It is one of the worst things a police chief would have to do…” Levesque recounts. He spoke slowly and with precision, struggling to find the words to tell this difficult story. Levesque, a confident public speaker, admitted to being extremely nervous. As the Chief described the vast crowd of people that filled St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the solemnness in the air, his eyes welled and his throat tightened; he paused and took a breath. The Chief remembers that day as the most memorable, stating that the experience is forever etched in his mind.

When stepping outside of the office, Chief Levesque’s job doesn’t simply stop. Chief Levesque’s position within the police force is one that requires constant and complete dedication and passion; this demanding career creates a level of great difficulty to attain a distinct separation between his profession life and his personal life. “I’d like to think I didn’t change, but rather I found a balance between the two” Levesque explains as he considered this seperation. “I have been blessed with the most understanding wife,” Levesque says, as he recounted many interrupted dinners and evenings he intended to spend with his family but work called. One of the ways Levesque manages to obtain a solid personal life outside of work is by spending quality time with his family and friends.

“It is difficult,” Levesque began, “It’s important to have a circle of friends outside of work.” Aside from their circle of friends, Levesque and his wife spend a lot of time with his brother and her sister who are married, a very uncommon but intriguing coincidence that results in large and frequent family functions. Trips with friends and family play a big part in Levesque’s personal life as well as he shared stories of vacations to the Dominican, Disney Land and Europe. “I haven’t laughed that hard in a while” Levesque chuckled as he remembered their sunny days spent in the tropics. “Anything with family, friends and Montreal winning,” “oh and good glass of wine… and I’m good.” The chief added jokingly.

July 2016 marks five years of J.P. Levesque as Thunder Bay’s Police Chief and he is optimistic about the changes he has made in the city. “I’d like to think I’ve made a difference,” the Chief stated. “I know it sounds corny, but I want to leave the police force in a better place.” Levesque desires to make positive changes but only until his term “expires”. Levesque is able to retire next year; however, he isn’t planning on leaving just yet. “The police chief has a shelf life and eventually you need a fresh set of eyes,” he shared honestly, “Some days I want to walk out the door but some things need to get done first.”

Levesque’s love for life is omnipresent, whether he is working to better our city of Thunder Bay or spending quality time watching hockey with his family; His dedication is appreciated by all. As the interview came to a close I thanked him for his time. I beamed as I stood up and shock his hand, the same gentle handshake. I took one last look around his office as he walked me to the door, it was friendly and cheerful; it suited him.