After weeks of deliberation, the Lethbridge Police Commission (LPC) announced Monday that it will not continue with a public investigation requested by a Calgary attorney.
Michael Bates requested the investigation to determine how Lethbridge Police deal with whistleblowers and to answer various questions about alleged police misconduct within the Lethbridge Police Service after several individuals received complaint letters allegedly suggesting possible retaliatory measures. .
Bates’ clients are Lethbridge-West MLA Shannon Phillips and another Lethbridge woman, who received the letters in June.
The LPC said that after “careful consideration”, they would not go ahead with this request. The commission had delayed the decision in October, citing that more time was needed to make the decision.
“The LPC determined that the circumstances surrounding the request are problematic and make a proper investigation particularly difficult,” the statement read Monday.
“Not only do the anonymous communications lack specific information that definitively confirms that they come from LPS employees, but the allegations contained therein lack substantive supporting details.”
The commission said it took several considerations into account when making the decision, including the nature of the allegations set forth in the communications, the anonymous nature of the communications, whether or not the communications demonstrate a workplace that is unsafe or respectful as it is. required. the law and the cost versus benefit of an investigation.
According to the City of Lethbridge, the Lethbridge Police Commission is “a statutory body created under the Alberta Police Act to oversee the Lethbridge Police Service.”
One of their roles is to represent the interests and concerns of the public.
When Global News asked for additional comment, the commission declined.
Read more:
LPS Public Investigation Requested After Complaint Letters Allege Retaliation Against MLA
“While I am not surprised by the staggering incompetence of the Lethbridge Police Commission, I have learned to live with this fundamental sense of insecurity in my own home and in my own community. I will review my options accordingly, ”Phillips said in reaction to the announcement.
“I would not have asked for this investigation, if that revelation had not been serious.”
Phillips was subjected to unauthorized policing by Lethbridge Police Service officers in 2017 when she was the NDP’s environment minister.
Global News has reached out to Michael Bates, but was unavailable for comment at the time of this publication. Phillips said he will review the decision with his attorney.
The next meeting of the LPC is scheduled for November 24, with no indication that this matter is being debated in public. schedule.
–With files from Erik Bay and Danica Ferris, Global News
© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Reference-globalnews.ca