File photo of a Lethbridge Police vehicle (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Police Commission upholds decision to relieve LPS officer from duty without pay

Aug 28, 2020 | 9:26 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Police Commission has agreed with a decision to relieve an LPS officer from duty without pay.

Last weekend, it was reported that Constable David Easter had been charged with one count of assault. This related to a matter involving an altercation with a prisoner in Lethbridge earlier this year.

Easter was subsequently relieved from duty without pay, pending the outcome of the matter in court.

READ MORE: LPS officer charged with assault

Lethbridge Police’s acting chief Scott Woods made the decision, and the Police Commission had 30 days to review the decision to relieve the officer from duty without pay.

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The Lethbridge Police Association (LPA) responded to the Lethbridge Police Commission’s endorsement of Chief Scott Woods’ recent decision to suspend an officer without pay.

“We are unsurprised but not because the decision was proper, or arrived at responsibly. Moreso because those tasked with making it – the Commission – are ill equipped and largely unqualified to provide oversight that includes an objective and informed decision making process” said LPA President Jay McMillan.

On Friday morning, it was confirmed that the Lethbridge Police Commission has resolved to uphold the decision of acting chief Scott Woods.

Within days Commission quickly endorsed the Chief’s decision.

They did so without any relevant details available to them and without affording the officer any degree of due process.

“Without an adequate review of the circumstances and a confirmation that they are in fact extraordinary we are seeing all the scrutiny and consideration from Commission that you would see from someone getting to a decision by shaking their magic 8-Ball” McMillan said. “I’ve never seen or even heard of this before”.

“The members of the Lethbridge Police keenly understand what the cultural and political climate is around policing. They welcome much needed reforms and updates.” said McMillan. “We only ask that some respect be paid to due process and that assumptions are put aside in this instance until an objective finding can be made”.

As the matter is before the court, the Police Commission says it will not comment further.

Easter is scheduled to appear in court on November 4.