Statement Regarding Upcoming Hearing

In response to a media advisory previously issued by the Lethbridge Police Commission regarding an upcoming hearing involving the Chief of Police, the Lethbridge Police Service is issuing the following statement to provide further context:

A disciplinary hearing has been scheduled for next month in relation to the appeal of a complaint made against the Chief of Police that was previously dismissed as frivolous and vexatious. 

In 2022, the former Deputy Chief sent a letter of complaint to the Minister of Justice alleging discreditable conduct against the Chief. The matter was referred to the Lethbridge Police Commission and the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) was directed to investigate. 

The EPS investigation identified 16 allegations and determined 10 were either time-barred under the Police Act or the complainant did not have standing to make a complaint. The Commission dismissed the remaining six allegations as frivolous and vexatious and lacking an evidentiary basis.

In 2023, the complainant appealed to the Law Enforcement Review Board (LERB). 

In 2024, the LERB determined it did not have jurisdiction to consider the 10 allegations that were time-barred or without standing under the Police Act, upheld the dismissal of three of the allegations as frivolous and vexatious and directed the Lethbridge Police Commission to conduct a hearing on the remaining three allegations. 

As noted in the Commission release, the public hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on April 17 in the Culver City Room at City Hall. The Notice of Hearing is posted on the Commission’s website.

During the hearing, the Presiding Officer will hear allegations the Chief violated a public health order relating to cohorts during the Covid-19 pandemic by taking a civilian member out for lunch, denied culpability when confronted by the complainant and brought discredit to the Service by participating in a news conference about holding LPS employees accountable for violating public health orders when he wasn’t following them.

As this matter is in progress, no further information or comments will be provided in order to ensure the integrity of the process.