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Conduct Hearings
Transparency and community trust are very important to our organization. It is imperative for us to allow the public a clear understanding of the ongoing disciplinary hearings that take place. The results of these hearings need to be accessible to the public and therefore we publish the outcomes for a minimum period of three months.
Professional Conduct Hearings are held, for a variety of professional misconduct allegations, under the Police Act and the Police Service Regulation of Alberta. The different kinds of misconduct allegations are described in Section 5 of the Police Service Regulation.
Generally speaking, if a misconduct charge goes to a hearing, there are four different types of hearing dates that could be scheduled: First Appearance, Appearance, Presentation of Evidence and Decision. Typically, a file will progress through these four different hearing types, but sometimes not all will be required. For example, evidence may be presented as an agreed statement of facts or a decision may be made at the end of the presentation of evidence instead of in a separate hearing date. On the other hand, a Decision hearing could be split into two separate hearing dates – one for a finding of guilt, and a later one one to decide the appropriate sanction.
Professional Conduct Hearings are open to the public and media. If you wish to attend, please note that food and drink is not allowed in the hearing room. Recording devices and cameras also are not permitted.
Upcoming Conduct Hearings
Conduct Hearing Outcomes
After evidence is presented at a hearing, the Presiding Officer will make a decision about whether the officer is guilty of the misconduct alleged in the hearing, and if so, what would be an appropriate sanction.
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Conduct Hearing Appeals
After evidence is presented at a hearing, the Presiding Officer will make a decision about whether the officer is guilty of the misconduct alleged in the hearing, and if so, what would be an appropriate sanction.
HEARING DECISION
Two Cited Officers (out of five originally charged) admitted and thereby were found Guilty by the Presiding Officer of the following charges of misconduct:
- Count 2: That you engaged in discreditable conduct, contrary to s. 5(1)(e) of the Police Service Regulation, as defined by section 5(2)(e)(iii) of the Police Service Regulation, by using profane, abusive or insulting language to any member of a police service or to any member of the general public;
- Count 3:That you committed insubordination, contrary to s. 5(1)(g) of the Police Service Regulation, as defined by s. 5(2)(g)(i) of the Police Service Regulation, by being insubordinate to a superior officer by word or action;
- Count 5:That you committed neglect of duty, contrary to s. 5(1)(h) of the Police Service Regulation, as defined by s. 5(2)(h)(v) of the Police Service Regulation, by failing to report a matter that it was your duty to report.
- Count 6:That you engaged in discreditable conduct, contrary to s. 5(1)(e) of the Police Service Regulation, as defined by section 5(2)(e)(vi) of the Police Service Regulation, by abetting or knowingly being an accessory to a contravention of section 5 of the Police Service Regulation by another peace officer;
- (Original counts 1 and 4 were withdrawn)
and the following sanction imposed:
- For each officer, the Presiding Officer imposed a sanction of demotion of two grades, from Senior Constable, Level 2, to First Class Constable for a period of one year.
and accordingly, the hearing was concluded on that basis.
Appeal:
The complainant has appealed the Presiding Officer’s decision as to sanction, and the matter went before the Law Enforcement Review Board (LERB) at an Appeal Hearing on 11 October 2023. The Police Act requires the LERB to issue their decision within 60 days after an appeal is concluded. However, the Act also gives the LERB the ability to extend this deadline. To date, the LERB has issued nine, 60-day extensions and the current deadline for a decision is 07 June 2025.
Contact
Lethbridge Police Service
135 1 Avenue South
Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0A1
Non-Emergency Phone: 403-328-4444
General Inquiries Phone: 403-327-2210
Email: General Inquiries
(not monitored 24/7)
Hours for public access:
Monday to Friday - 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Closed weekends and statutory holidays