At a professional conduct hearing in Lethbridge on Tuesday, three police officers admitted guilty to various misconduct charges, while two others were absent from the hearing due to their intention to resign.
According to the agreed statement of facts, Sgt. Jason Moulton started a group called ‘meme militia’ on the WhatsApp platform in July 2018 and invited other members of the Lethbridge Police Service to join.
The group shared texts and images that contravene LPS policy, including offensive depictions of other members of the police service and society in general, as well as pornography.
The messages have been described as “profane” and “abusive”.
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5 Lethbridge police officers plead not guilty to misconduct charges
While all chats were sent via personal computers or cell phones in private chat, ‘most’ were sent during private time.
Due to their protection under a sealing order, the content of those chats and memes has not been publicly disclosed, but that order may be lifted once all procedures have been concluded, according to the presiding official.
In June 2021, Sgt. Moulton pleaded not guilty to eight counts of professional misconduct, while Const. Keon Woronuk, Const. Matthew Rilkoff, Const. Derek Riddel and Const. David Easter has pleaded not guilty to six charges.
On Tuesday, that changed.
Sergeant. Moulton and Sheriffs Easter and Rilkoff have pleaded guilty to various counts of misconduct including insubordination, discredited conduct and negligence of duty.
Two other charges were dropped for the three officers.
The procedure for Sgt. Moulton has been postponed until December 15. He pleaded not guilty to one charge of shameful conduct.
A joint presentation was made by the defense and the presenting officer suggesting that Easter and Rilkoff be demoted into two ranks for a period of one year, resulting in a loss of approximately $ 15,000 in pay each.
Both officers were described as having excellent past records.
The president will issue an opinion on the joint submission on December 16.
Officers Riddel and Wornuk were excused from Tuesday’s hearing as they intend to submit resignations and the police will lose jurisdiction over their affairs, and their hearing has been postponed until February 3.
Jay McMillan, president of the Lethbridge Police Association, was present at Tuesday’s hearing.
He said he is relieved to finally have a resolution in progress.
“We are happy to be at this stage now,” he told Global News. “We can finally fix some of these issues and get them done.
“It has been three years to reach this stage”
According to the Lethbridge Police Service, the five officers remain suspended with pay.
LPS said they will be available to comment on these matters once they are finalized.
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Reference-globalnews.ca