Compliments and Complaints

Under the Police Act, formal complaints against the LPS or an officer must be made in writing and contain the following information:

• Full name of the complainant, who may be;
  • the person who was the subject of the complained of behavior; or
  • a representative of the subject person; or
  • a person who witnessed the complained of behavior; or
  • a person who had a relationship with the subject person and was affected by the complained of incident; or
  • any person, if the complaint is about a policy or services provided by the Police Service
    
    
• Contact information, including (if available):
  • address
  • telephone number
  • cell phone number
  • email
    
    
• If the complaint is about police officer conduct, include:
  • the date of the alleged conduct
  • identification of the officer, if known
  • a description of the incident that gave rise to the complaint
    
    
• If the complaint is about policy or service, then include enough information to identify the policy or service being brought forward
  
  

You may be asked to provide additional information to the LPS or any person appointed to look into your complaint.

If your complaint is about the conduct of an officer or a service at LPS, your written complaint should be marked “CONFIDENTIAL” and sent to the attention of the Chief of Police either by:

• Email at inquiries@lethbridgepolice.ca; or
• In-person or mail to:
  Chief of Police
  Lethbridge Police Service
  135 1 Avenue South
  Lethbridge, AB   T1J 0A1
  
  

If your complaint is about the conduct of the Chief of Police, your written complaint should be marked “CONFIDENTIAL” and sent to the Chair of Lethbridge Police Commission either by:

• Email at admin@lethbridgepolicecommission.com; or
• Mail to:
  Commission Chair
  Lethbridge Police Commission
  c/o City Clerk’s Office
  City of Lethbridge
  910 4 Avenue South
  Lethbridge, AB   T1J 0P6

In appropriate circumstances, informal resolution may be offered.

This may involve an alternative dispute resolution process (if all parties agree). The LPS recognizes the mediation process as an alternative means of resolution to complaints against police. Mediation is available at all times during, and prior to, an investigation. Or, the officer's supervisor may address the matter directly with the officer.

If an informal resolution is successful, there may be no formal investigation.

If informal resolution is not an option, the Chief of Police will direct a formal investigation by the Professional Standards Unit.

The Professional Standards Unit is responsible for ensuring the integrity and professionalism of the LPS. To maintain the confidence of the citizens of Lethbridge, the Professional Standards Unit investigates Code of Conduct allegations and concerns dealing with the service delivery and the policies of the Police Service.

When the Chief of Police directs that a formal investigation is conducted, the Sergeant in charge of Professional Standards will interview or get statements from all parties involved, gather evidence in the complaint and prepare a report for the Chief of Police.

If it is found that a criminal act was committed, the report and investigation are given to Alberta Justice (Crown Prosecutor) to determine whether or not formal charges will be pursued. When a complaint does not involve a criminal act, the report and investigation are forwarded to the Chief of Police.

The Chief reviews the findings of the investigation and determines a course of action in one of the following three ways:

1. Dismiss the matter

2. Conduct a disciplinary hearing

3. Classify the matter a minor contravention and issue discipline or take other appropriate action.

The Chief of Police will notify the complainant in writing, outlining his decision and what action was taken.