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.
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CTV News
8 hours ago
- CTV News
‘Both humbled and grateful': Lethbridge police chief not guilty of misconduct
Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh has been found not guilty of misconduct An allegation of misconduct made against Lethbridge's top cop has been dismissed. Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh was found not guilty at a hearing on Monday. According to the Lethbridge Police Service, a former deputy chief alleged Mehdizadeh 'violated a public health order relating to cohorts during the COVID-19 pandemic by taking a civilian member out for lunch and denying culpability when he was confronted.' The civilian member was the police service's chaplain. Mehdizadeh took him out for lunch. An agreed statement of facts noted both were masked where required and properly socially distanced. It is also noted Mehdizadeh stated he believed the chaplain to be within his allowed cohort and apologized when it came to light he was not. At the hearing, presiding officer Brett Carlson provided reasoning for the not guilty verdict. '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.' Mehdizadeh said in a statement Monday he is 'both humbled and grateful.' He also said the allegation is part of a pattern of behaviour by his former deputy chief. '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,' he said. 'None have been substantiated, and several have been dismissed outright as frivolous and vexatious.'
Global News
9 hours 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.'
Toronto Star
10 hours 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.
