Lethbridge officers plead guilty, resign following ‘meme-gate’ hearing
Posted Nov 3, 2021 7:46 am.
Last Updated Nov 3, 2021 7:48 am.
Three of the five Lethbridge police officers pled guilty during Tuesday’s “meme-gate” disciplinary hearing, and the other two plan to resign from the service after they stood accused of sending each other racist and sexist messages in a private group chat.
The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) said on Tuesday proceedings were adjourned for the two officers that are going to quit, because their plan to resign will result in a loss of jurisdiction.
The three officers that pled guilty did so under the Police Act and Police Service Regulation to counts of misconduct including discreditable conduct, insubordination, and neglect of duty.
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The charges stem from an incident in 2018, the five officers participated in a private chat group where texts and memes were distributed to LPS officers.
LPS says the content found in the pictures and messages go against its own policies and were found to be “profane, abusive and insulting.” The group chat also targeted the higher-ups within the LPS, fellow officers, and society in general.
After an internal complaint about the group chat, a third party was hired to investigate. The findings of that investigation went to LPS late last year and LPS went ahead with prosecution.
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LPS says it’s recommending that two of the three officers who pled guilty should be demoted, but the decision was reserved by the presiding officer until Dec. 16, 2021. The third officer that plead guilty did so to all charges except one relating to misconduct, he will be back in court on Dec. 15, 2021 to contest it.
The two officers that plan to quit didn’t show up to Tuesday’s hearing, their court proceedings were adjourned to Feb. 3, 2022 so that their resignation process can complete.
LPS says they cannot comment any further as the matter is before the courts.
