Neal Soltys
Detective - Major Crime Unit
Thunder Bay,ON
Summary
An accomplished investigator with a self-motivated and flexible style who is skilled at reviewing reports, overseeing investigations and preparing cases for court. A motivated leader committed to training junior detectives and improving team performance with hands-on coaching and assessments.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Detective - Major Crime Unit
City Of Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay, Ontario
12.2023 - Current
- Supervised all investigations which fall under the Major Case Management model in Ontario (Homicides and Attempts, Criminal Harassment, Missing persons, Sexual Assaults)
- Monitored investigations and completed detailed notes and court briefs
- Complete administrative paperwork; prepare records, forms and reports
- Montior and change employee work schedules
- Complete employee yearly reviews and appraisals
- Assisted with the implementation of the search warrant policy
- Counselled primary response officers through investigations with a wide variety of investigative techniques
- Liased with community leaders, members of the public and families of victims of crime and loss during investigations to achieve positive outcomes and strive towards closure.
- Enhanced community safety by conducting thorough investigations, leading to the arrest and prosecution of criminals.
- Participated in court hearings to provide written reports, evidence and verbal testimonies.
Detective Constable - Major Crime Unit
City of Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay, Ontario
09.2020 - Current
- September 1, 2020 to present
- Delivered calm, professional testimony to support case evidence, establish timelines and offer law enforcement expertise.
- Collected crime scene evidence, examined bodies and investigated secondary locations to build detailed cases based on sound evidence handling practices.
- Wrote detailed reports outlining case findings for internal files and legal purposes.
- Followed constitutional standards to properly obtain and execute warrants for arrests and searches.
- Identified witnesses and collected statements to gather information and pursue remedies for violations of legal standards.
- Assisted Risk Management by providing descriptions to 31 specific warrant sections in the Criminal Code as per update legislation for Telecommunications.
- Guided, mentored and supervised coworkers to improve job performance and case clearing rates.
CPR Instructor
City of Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay, Ontario
02.2019 - 06.2019
- February 4, 2019 - June 19, 2019
- Conducted research, gathered information from multiple sources and presented results to instructional team.
- Updated instructional materials, ordered equipment and supplies and utilized various learning modalities to enhance instruction.
- Implemented new educational techniques to boost student comprehension while reducing learning time.
- Implemented student feedback system to evaluate course content and instructors.
- Conducted clinical simulations and provided feedback for each individual student.
- Distributed course syllabus and communicated course standards and learning objectives to students.
- Provided immediate and constructive feedback to students individually and as group.
Detective Constable - Intelligence-Guns and Gangs
City of Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay, Ontario
07.2015 - 01.2019
- July 27, 2015 - January 4, 2019
- Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
- Conducted drug and gun investigations which led to numerous charges and convictions of persons.
- Participated in joint force investigations with partner agencies in the Northwest region.
- Authored numerous Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substance Act warrants for investigations and major projects.
- Participated in a Part VI investigation as the Surveillance Coordinator. Also assisted in transcription of over 600 telephone communications requested by the Crown's office for court purposes.
- Carried out day-to-day duties as the Acting Detective.
- Assisted with the first successful full relocation and change of identity of a high profile witness as a Witness Protection Officer.
- Developed and implemented policy and procedures guiding Witness Protection and Relocation offices during the course of their duties.
- Key note speaker to various agencies in the Northwest region surrounding the impact of Gangs on youth and society. These agencies included Dilico and satelite offices of Dilico around the Northwest region; the Children's Aid Society and various catholic and public schools in the City of Thunder Bay.
Police Constable
City of Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay, Ontario
04.2009 - 07.2015
- August 7, 2009 - July 27, 2015
- June 20, 2019 - August 31, 2020
- Managed crime scenes to protect personnel and preserve evidence.
- Prepared and submitted incident reports regarding police activities and investigations.
- Performed general patrol services and provided traffic control.
- Delivered testimony for court.
- Coach officer
- CPR instructor for the Thunder Bay Police Service
- Full time jailer for A platoon from January 14, 2012 - January 9, 2013. Numerous other days as assigned jailer during my uniform patrol time period.
Firefighter
City of Brampton
Brampton, Ontario
10.2001 - 02.2009
- Drove and operated structural pumpers, tankers, ladders and service vehicles to aid in rescue operations.
- Responded to emergency medical calls to perform lifesaving procedures and other emergency medical services.
- Assessed active fires and consulted with fire chief to devise optimal approach and containment strategies.
- Provided station tours, pre-incident surveys and installed smoke detectors to provide fire education to public.
Education
Diploma - Paramedicine
Humber College
Etobicoke, ON07.2005
Diploma - Pre Service Firefighter Education
Humber College
Etobicoke, ON06.2001
Honours Bachelor - Kinesiology
Lakehead University
Thunder Bay, ON05.2000
Skills
Leading team operations
Team leadership skills
Supervising investigations
Case reviews
Testifying skills
Criminal investigation coordination
Board of Directors/Executive Experience
- I have successfully owed/operated a successful roofing company from 2012 until present day. As the owner/operator, I am responsible for account management with my material suppliers, scheduling/training and payment for my employees and completion of roofing projects to the customers satisfaction.
- I have successfully owed/operated a successful snowplow business from 2012 until present day. I am responsible for snow clearing and shoveling for all my clients. My client list includes residential and some light commerical units.
- I am the Chief Financial Officer for "The Costumizer" which is a costume business currently co-owned and operated by Ashley Goodlad. (November 2022 to present). The current business model incorporates purchasing and designing costumes which are rented by the general public for a variety of events and purposes. As the Chief Financial Officer, I am responsible for all monetary aspects, including but not limited to purchase price of the business and inventory; website design and storage facility for the costumes and monetary business related tasks.
Specialty Designations
- Coach Officer - Thunder Bay Police Service - Ontario Police College. Coached Police Constable Katrina SUTHERLAND from April 27, 2020 until August 12, 2020. Orientation officer for Detective Constable Kevin DZIJAK in the Major Crime Unit from October 10, 2022 until January 12, 2023.
- Coach Officer - Mentored Acting Detective Lucas BAGLEY in the Major Crime Unit as a Detective from November 29, 2023 until May 20, 2025.
- C-24 Designated - Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario- Designated by Senior Officer Thunder Bay Police Service
- Part VI Designated - Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario
- Emergent Wiretap Designated - David Corbett - Deputy Attorney General of Ontario
- Acting Detective Sergeant (Major Crime Unit) February 20, 2025, March 24, 2025, July 14, 15 2025) - Thunder Bay Police Service
- Acting Staff Sergeant Primary Response - August 15-18 2025, August 26, 2025 - Thunder Bay Police Service
- Search Warrant Instructor - Ontario Police College
- First Aid/ CPR/AED Instructor - Red Cross
- Teaching Experience Supervisor - Red Cross -Sole officer designated to evaluate teaching candidates as First Aid Instructors for the Thunder Bay Police Service
- Witness Protection and Relocation Officer - Ontario Police College
- Breath Technician - Ontario Police College
- Confidential Informer Development - Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario (CISO)
- Ontario Major Case Manager - Ontario Police College
- File Coordinator - Powercase - Ontario Police College
- Primary Investigator for Threshold Offences - Ontario Police College
- Incident Command Level 100 and 200 - Ontario Police College
- Incident Command Management Level 100, 200, 300 - Government of Ontario
Certified Course Instructor
- Search warrant instructor - Ontario Police College
- First Aid /AED/CPR/Narcan - Red Cross
- Teaching Experience Supervisor - Red Cross -Sole officer designated to evaluate teaching candidates as First Aid Instructors for the Thunder Bay Police Service
Timeline
Detective - Major Crime Unit
City Of Thunder Bay
12.2023 - Current
Detective Constable - Major Crime Unit
City of Thunder Bay
09.2020 - Current
CPR Instructor
City of Thunder Bay
02.2019 - 06.2019
Detective Constable - Intelligence-Guns and Gangs
City of Thunder Bay
07.2015 - 01.2019
Police Constable
City of Thunder Bay
04.2009 - 07.2015
Firefighter
City of Brampton
10.2001 - 02.2009
Diploma - Paramedicine
Humber College
Diploma - Pre Service Firefighter Education
Humber College
Honours Bachelor - Kinesiology
Lakehead University
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