LPS station -- LNN photo

By Dori Modney

Public inquiry into LPS policies and practices will proceed this year

Jan 4, 2022 | 4:34 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. – Note: This article has been updated since its initial publication.

A thorough investigation into certain aspects of the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) will soon be underway.

Justice Minister Kaycee Madu has directed the Law Enforcement Review Board (LERB) to look into the “use, access and disclosure of information in police databases and records management systems” by LPS.

Due to there being “multiple allegations” against the police service in recent months and years, the review will look into the past 10 years of police conduct in the city.

Following this, the Ministry of Justice will determine what, if any, changes need to be made to guard against unauthorized use, access, and disclosure of information.

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Jason van Rassel, a Communications Advisor for Alberta Justice and Solicitor General (AJSG), provided the following statement:

“In the spring of 2021, Minister Madu directed the Law Enforcement Review Board (LERB) to hold an inquiry into the use, access and disclosure of information in police databases and records management systems by the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS).

Alberta Justice and Solicitor General recently provided the LERB with more detailed terms of reference that focus the inquiry on examining the past 10 years. In the terms of reference, Minister Madu further directs the LERB to assess whether any changes proposed or implemented by the LPS in response to previous direction by the ministry are sufficient to guard against unauthorized use, access and disclosure of information.

The LERB inquiry is one of a number of initiatives underway to ensure the Lethbridge Police Service is effective, ethical and accountable to its community. The multiple allegations that emerged against the Lethbridge Police Service in recent months were sufficiently concerning that Minister Madu directed the LPS to develop and submit a detailed action plan on how it will address the many serious issues within the organization.

The plan is intended as a blueprint for bringing about real change within the LPS and restoring the public’s confidence. The minister will continue to monitor the Lethbridge Police Service’s progress in implementing the plan and the department is prepared to take additional action if a lack of progress or any more allegations make it necessary to do so.”

With regards to other background in this case, in June of 2021, a plan outlined how the LPS would proceed in several key areas, including addressing the various misconduct investigations and disciplinary processes underway, including language that indicates they will be dealt with swiftly and firmly, and provide timelines for their completion.

The LPS was also required to provide a change of management strategy addressing the workplace culture, with details about employee engagement initiatives, planned outcomes and timelines.

As well, since there were several misconduct cases stem from unauthorized access of police databases, the LPS is required to develop stronger and more specific actions to safeguard the integrity of those records.

The AJSG statement also indicated that “The terms of reference direct the LERB to provide Minister Madu with its findings and recommendations by July 31, 2022. If the inquiry isn’t concluded by then, the LERB must notify the minister in writing and provide an estimate of the additional time it requires.”