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Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh will not face any disciplinary actions following a hearing into alleged conduct in 2021. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

No disciplinary actions to be taken against LPS Chief

Jun 16, 2025 | 2:18 PM

The Lethbridge Police Commission (LPC) has announced its verdict following a disciplinary hearing for the city’s Police Chief.

Presiding Officer Commissioner Brett Carlson says that none of the allegations against Shahin Mehdizadeh “had been proven on a balance of probabilities.”

As a result, Mehdizadeh was found not guilty, and no disciplinary sanctions will be imposed.

A total of 16 allegations were made by former Deputy Chief Scott Woods back in 2022, relating to supposed misconduct during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the allegations were dismissed for being frivolous, vexatious, time-barred, or lacking an evidentiary basis.

Only two allegations proceeded to the hearing on April 17, 2025.

The first occurred on March 11, 2021, alleging that Mehdizadeh had reportedly violated a COVID-19 rule regarding cohorts by taking the LPS Chaplain to lunch. A statement from the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) says that this is a “regular gesture” Mehdizadeh had previously established to recognize volunteer work within the service.

The other allegation was that Mehdizadeh denied any wrongdoing in violating the cohort’s rule. LPS says Mehdizadeh considered the Chaplain to be part of his cohort given his frequent presence at the police station.

“When another senior officer confirmed he had violated the order, the Chief immediately apologized and affirmed it would not happen again,” reads part of a statement from LPS.

Carlson says it was emphasized in the LPC’s decision that, while Mehdizadeh’s actions involved an unintended breach of public health orders, they did not rise to the level of misconduct warranting disciplinary sanction.

“A moment of carelessness or error in judgment does not, by itself, constitute discreditable conduct requiring discipline,” says Carlson. “The Chief acknowledged his mistake, apologized to his executive officers, and promised not to do it again. There is no allegation that such a repetition ever occurred. There was no evidence of malicious intent or meaningful moral culpability in the Chief’s actions.”

Mehdizadeh has issued a statement on the conclusion of his disciplinary matter, which is available in its entirety below:

“Throughout these proceedings, I have received overwhelming support from the members of LPS and the community. I am both humbled and grateful.

After a comprehensive and transparent process, including a public hearing, the complaints against me by my former Deputy Chief, were dismissed.

Since leaving LPS in 2022, after a short period of time working together, the former Deputy Chief has made numerous allegations and complaints against me. None have been substantiated, and several have been dismissed outright as frivolous and vexatious.

Today’s decision closes this chapter and I am focused on moving forward and continuing to work to strengthen and support our community.

I now consider this matter concluded and have no further comment.”

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