Justice Minister Kaycee Madu. (Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Justice Minister threatens to use “extraordinary authorities” against LPS if reforms not made

Mar 24, 2021 | 12:33 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) is in hot water with Alberta’s Ministry of Justice.

The service will be given three weeks to come up with a comprehensive plan for how they can make significant reforms.

Justice Minster Kaycee Madu wrote to LPS Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh, Lethbridge Police Commission Chairperson Robert Van Spronsen, and Mayor Chris Spearman on Monday.

He expressed “significant concerns, stemming from a series of negative events, which has caused me to question my confidence in the ability of the LPS to deliver adequate and effective policing services to the citizens of Lethbridge.”

The plan will have to include key milestones and progress monitoring processes “such that the public and myself can have our confidence in the LPS restored.”

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The chief and commission will undertake specific initiatives to address workplace culture including initiatives related to recruitment, training, oversight, discipline, and transparency, as well as a robust communications strategy to ensure the people of Lethbridge are informed of this work.

A statement from LPS says they have been working on developing an action plan over the past several months to “address the problems raised by these troubling past cases.”

An underlying common theme in the LPS plan will be “to ensure consistent accountability and a consistently high standard of integrity in our service delivery.”

Madu acknowledges that both Mehdizadeh and Van Spronsen are relatively new to their roles and is encouraged by their commitment to enacting significant changes within the police department.

He was, however, blunt in stating his seriousness in this matter and the level of concern he has with the force.

“Should I not see a plan for addressing the acknowledged issues, or should I not see evidence of progress in relation to acting upon that plan, then I will be in a position of having to truly consider utilizing the extraordinary authorities available to me under section 30 of the Police Act.”

Section 30 of the Police Act states that, when a municipality is responsible for providing and maintaining policing services, but is not a) providing or maintaining adequate or effective policing services, or b) complying with this Act or the regulation, the Minister of Justice can take the following actions:

• a) appoint police officers for that municipality and prescribe their remuneration,
• b) request the provincial police service to provide policing services to the municipality on an interim basis, or
• c) do any other thing necessary to create an adequate and effective police service within the municipality

A different news outlet had stated that Madu was threatening to dissolve LPS, but nowhere in the letters from Madu or in the Police Act does it specifically state that this is his intention or something he has the ability to do.

The minister gave LPS a deadline of April 16, 2021, to see the completed report. LPS expects to provide it much earlier than that.

Spearman also issued a brief comment, saying that he has confidence in the local police service to understand the importance of this task and to make it the number one priority.

“We know there is important and critical work to be done within LPS and a plan is being developed to address that,” says Spearman. “Lethbridge residents should continue to feel confident in the Police Service that is here to protect them. We know there are many, many hard working and dedicated LPS staff who go to work every day committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community.”

No further comments from LPS will be provided at this time.