Latest news with #LethbridgePoliceService
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Calgary Herald
Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh cleared of misconduct allegations
Article content Lethbridge's police chief was found not guilty Monday of two misconduct charges he faced over a lunch meeting he had with the service's chaplain more than four years ago. Article content Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh had been accused of two counts of misconduct, for violating a public health order by taking a member of the public out for lunch in March 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for denying he had done anything wrong when confronted about it. Article content Article content Article content Article content They had soup during a 20- to 30-minute lunch, a regular thank-you gesture from Mehdizadeh for the volunteer's work with Lethbridge police. They were masked and appropriately distanced, said Lethbridge's police chief. Article content Mehdizadeh had believed the chaplain was part of his cohort, but during a meeting several days later with senior management, Lethbridge's police chief said he learned he was wrong and apologized to senior officers, including Woods. Article content Article content On Monday, presiding officer Brett Carlson concluded that, on a balance of probabilities, the allegations against Mehdizadeh were not proven and found him not guilty. Article content Carlson determined the LPS chief did not intend to breach the public health order, provided an apology and the conduct was not repeated. Article content 'There was no evidence of malicious intent or meaningful moral culpability,' he said. 'A moment of carelessness or error in judgment does not, by itself, constitute discreditable conduct requiring discipline.' Article content 'I find that a dispassionate, reasonable person, fully apprised of the circumstances would conclude that the Chief did not do anything prejudicial to discipline or likely to bring discredit on the reputation of the police service.'
Global News
5 days ago
- Global News
Lethbridge police chief accused of breaking health rules during pandemic has complaint dismissed
A police oversight board says it has dismissed a complaint that a southern Alberta police chief allegedly broke public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes after a former deputy chief with the Lethbridge Police Service had claimed Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh violated a public health order by taking a chaplain out for lunch in March 2021. A disciplinary hearing by the Lethbridge Police Commission concluded Monday and dismissed the allegations. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy An agreed statement of facts says Mehdizadeh and the chaplain were masked and properly socially distanced throughout the luncheon. In his decision, Presiding Officer Brett Carlson concluded the chief did not mean to break the rules, apologized and didn't do it again, and Carlson said the chief's actions were a 'moment of carelessness or error in judgment.' Story continues below advertisement Mehdizadeh, in a statement sent by Lethbridge police, accused the former deputy chief of making numerous complaints about him, and that some have been dismissed as 'frivolous and vexatious.'
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Lethbridge police chief accused of breaking COVID rules has complaint dismissed
LETHBRIDGE - A police oversight board says it has dismissed a complaint that a southern Alberta police chief allegedly broke public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes after a former deputy chief with the Lethbridge Police Service had claimed Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh violated a public health order by taking a chaplain out for lunch in March 2021. A disciplinary hearing by the Lethbridge Police Commission concluded Monday and dismissed the allegations. An agreed statement of facts says Mehdizadeh and the chaplain were masked and properly socially distanced throughout the luncheon. In his decision, Presiding Officer Brett Carlson concluded the chief did not mean to break the rules, apologized and didn't do it again, and Carlson said the chief's actions were a 'moment of carelessness or error in judgment.' Mehdizadeh, in a statement sent by Lethbridge police, accused the former deputy chief of making numerous complaints about him, and that some have been dismissed as 'frivolous and vexatious.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Toronto Star
Lethbridge police chief accused of breaking COVID rules has complaint dismissed
LETHBRIDGE - A police oversight board says it has dismissed a complaint that a southern Alberta police chief allegedly broke public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes after a former deputy chief with the Lethbridge Police Service had claimed Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh violated a public health order by taking a chaplain out for lunch in March 2021.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lethbridge police chief accused of breaking COVID rules has complaint dismissed
LETHBRIDGE – A police oversight board says it has dismissed a complaint that a southern Alberta police chief allegedly broke public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes after a former deputy chief with the Lethbridge Police Service had claimed Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh violated a public health order by taking a chaplain out for lunch in March 2021. A disciplinary hearing by the Lethbridge Police Commission concluded Monday and dismissed the allegations. An agreed statement of facts says Mehdizadeh and the chaplain were masked and properly socially distanced throughout the luncheon. In his decision, Presiding Officer Brett Carlson concluded the chief did not mean to break the rules, apologized and didn't do it again, and Carlson said the chief's actions were a 'moment of carelessness or error in judgment.' Mehdizadeh, in a statement sent by Lethbridge police, accused the former deputy chief of making numerous complaints about him, and that some have been dismissed as 'frivolous and vexatious.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2025.
