Lethbridge Police station. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

ASIRT investigating unauthorized use of police databases regarding Shannon Phillips

Feb 9, 2021 | 2:37 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – ***Up-Dated

An independent investigation is being conducted after members of Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) allegedly conducted unauthorized searches.

On February 1, the Director of Law Enforcement was notified of the results of a request made under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIP).

According to the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), it revealed that there were “a number of potentially unauthorized searches of the name and related files of an individual.”

The lawyer for Shannon Phillips has confirmed the investigation relates to potential unlawful searches relating to his client.

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The searches were allegedly conducted between January 2018 and November 2018.

ASIRT says their investigation will examine where the databases were accessed and will seek to determine if they were conducted for a lawful purpose.

A short statement was sent to LNN by LPS that reads:

“The Lethbridge Police Service welcomes the referral of this matter to the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team for an impartial, comprehensive investigation, and will cooperate fully with them. Lethbridge Police believe that it is important to allow this investigation to unfold to its conclusion, before providing any comment.

Lethbridge Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh has, meanwhile, ordered an investigation under the Police Service Regulation into the matter. The outcome of this internal investigation will be held in abeyance until ASIRT releases the findings of its investigation.”