Two ASIRT investigations concluded without charges

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has concluded two investigations into alleged improper data access by a total of six Lethbridge Police officers and one civilian employee, without charges.

The first investigation involved allegations of improper access of Shannon Phillips’ information on various databases operated by the Lethbridge Police Service. ASIRT determined there were reasonable grounds to believe two officers – one who is no longer employed by LPS – had committed criminal offences by accessing Ms. Phillips data in 2018. The matter was forwarded to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, which determined the test for prosecution was not met and the individuals would not be criminally charged. 

An internal investigation into the actions of the serving officer is now underway. LPS has no jurisdiction to conduct a professional standards investigation in relation to the other officer who resigned in 2021. All other employees in this matter – one civilian and three officers – were cleared by ASIRT of any wrongdoing as their access was determined to be legitimate. 

The second ASIRT investigation involved allegations that improper use of databases occurred after Ms. Phillips and a colleague were observed during a meeting in a Lethbridge restaurant in April 2017. ASIRT determined there were reasonable grounds to believe that one officer – who is no longer employed by LPS – committed a criminal offence by accessing information regarding Ms. Phillips’ colleague without a lawful purpose. The matter was forwarded to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, which determined the test for prosecution was not met and the former officer would not be criminally charged. 

The officer previously faced a disciplinary hearing in 2019 and was sanctioned by way of a demotion in rank. He later resigned in 2021.

ASIRT has advised that a public report outlining its investigative conclusions will be forthcoming. 

As the internal investigation of one officer is currently ongoing and the full ASIRT report has not yet been released, LPS is not in a position to provide any further comment.