Public inquiry into LPS requested after whistleblower letters allege retaliation against MLA

A public inquiry into the Lethbridge Police Service has been requested after two individuals acquired whistleblower letters that allegedly counsel potential retaliation measures towards Lethbridge-West MLA Shannon Phillips and a member of the media.

Calgary defence lawyer Michael Bates represents Phillips and one other Lethbridge resident.

His two purchasers acquired the letters in June and in a submission to the Lethbridge Police Fee (LPC) on Wednesday, Bates mentioned: “In one of many disclosures, there’s a suggestion of a possible deliberate retaliation towards a named member of the skilled media, in addition to a sitting Member of the Legislative Meeting of Alberta, for what might be inferred as having sought public accountability of the Lethbridge Police Service.”

Phillips’ constituency workplace confirmed she was the MLA Bates was referring to.

Phillips was the topic of unauthorized police surveillance by LPS officers in 2017, when she was the NDP surroundings minister.

Bates is requesting a public inquiry to find out how Lethbridge police cope with whistleblowers and to reply a number of questions on alleged police misconduct inside the LPS.

“My first query for the fee can be: does the fee have any insurance policies or policing requirements which direct the chief of police to guard residents, or members of the media specifically, who’re in search of public accountability, from potential retaliation towards them from members of the Lethbridge Police Service?” Bates requested the fee on Wednesday.

1:51
Lethbridge-West MLA reveals extra particulars associated to police surveillance investigation

In a written response to questions posed by World Information, Bates mentioned he hopes to find out the accuracy of the letters, including he desires to see “a discussion board inside which those that have first-hand data might be free to testify in order that an unbiased inquiry fee(er) can decide the validity of any of the whistleblower disclosures.”

“The Lethbridge Police Fee takes significantly the allegation raised within the letters and might be reviewing the request for a public listening to in addition to the accompanying questions (Bates) requested,” fee chair Rob vanSpronsen mentioned in a press release to World Information.

The fee might be discussing the matter at its subsequent scheduled assembly on Oct. 27.