Lethbridge Police Service

Lethbridge has gone to the dogs as police canine teams from across western Canada train side-by-side during the Canadian Police Canine Association Spring Seminar.

Hosted by the Lethbridge Police Service, this three-day event is focused on enhancing operational effectiveness through practical exercises and knowledge-sharing. Hands (paws)-on sessions feature a range of specialized training including: tracking fundamentals, behaviour conditioning and problem-solving, grip-building and proper targeting.

“By bringing agencies together, the seminar strengthens collaboration and promotes consistent, high-level training standards in police canine operations to better serve our communities,” said Cst. Braylon Hyggen, with the LPS K9 Unit.

Residents may notice an increased presence of police canine teams at various training locations around the city. The seminar is a closed event and not open to the public. All exercises are carefully planned and controlled, with public safety a top priority.

The Canadian Police Canine Association is a non-profit, non-political organization representing peace officers involved in the handling and training of police service dogs.

Throughout the month of June law enforcement agencies across Alberta are focusing on commercial vehicle safety.

Commercial vehicles are vital to keeping goods and services moving around the province and country. However, these vehicles are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles and other drivers may feel intimidated by them.

To ensure road safety for everyone, drivers should be aware that commercial vehicles have large blind spots, require a wider turning radius, and take longer to stop than smaller vehicles. Always be sure to give commercial vehicles enough room on the road.

Alberta 2023 Traffic Collission Statistics:
🚚Truck tractors made up 2% of the total vehicles involved in casualty collisions and 10% of the vehicles in fatal crashes
🚚Compared to drivers of other vehicles, truck tractor drivers were more likely to run off the road or make an improper lane change. However, operators of truck tractors were less likely than other vehicle operators to follow too closely or make a left turn across the path of an oncoming vehicle
🚚Nearly 81% of Commercial vehicles inspected met the out of service criteria

Be patient. Stay alert. Share the road. Let’s all do our part to make Alberta’s roads safer.

Safe Kids Week is taking place from June 1-7 and is a great time to remind drivers to slow down, stay alert and be ready for our youngest and most unpredictable pedestrians.

This annual campaign, led by Parachute Canada, raises awareness about preventable injuries in children.

“Drivers can expect to see officers conducting enforcement in playground zones across Lethbridge,” says Tony Ramotowski, Sergeant of the Lethbridge Police Service Traffic Response Unit. “Our focus is on reducing speeds and increasing compliance in areas where it matters most for child safety.”

City of Lethbridge- City Hall
AMA - Alberta Motor Association

Kids move fast and unpredictably and drivers need to be ready.🚗

During Safe Kids Week (June 1–7), the City of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Police Service and AMA are reminding residents that keeping kids safe is a shared responsibility.🚸

Afternoons are when kids are most active — walking home, biking to parks and heading to activities. Slowing down gives you time to see, react and stop.🚲

Learn more 👉 https://www.lethbridge.ca/news/posts/slow-down-lethbridge-safe-kids-week-is-here/

Lethbridge Police are seeking the public’s assistance to identify a male subject in connection with an incident of mischief.

On May 14, at approximately 2:24 a.m., an unknown male was seen on video surveillance throwing an object through the window of a business located along the 200 block of 13 Street South. Damage is estimated at nearly $800.

The subject is described as an Indigenous male, approximately 5’8” to 5’10” tall, wearing a black t-shirt with a large graphic design, black pants, and grey shoes.

Anyone who recognizes the male or has information that could assist the investigation, is asked to call police at 403-328-4444 and reference file 26009166. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at www.p3tips.com or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers will pay cash for information leading to an arrest.

Lethbridge Police are investigating a report of a threat at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute.

Earlier this morning, staff contacted police after finding a threat written on school property. The message involved a threat of harm to students and staff.

School administrators directed a full lockdown of LCI, and neighbouring schools, including St. Francis, Ecole St. Mary, Victoria Park and Catholic Central High, initiated external lockdowns as a precaution.

All lockdowns have now been lifted.

The investigation is ongoing to determine the veracity of the threat and who is responsible.

At this time there is no evidence to suggest an imminent or ongoing risk to students or staff.

No further information will be released.

Chief Mehdizadeh was honoured to attend the Inclusion Lethbridge Gala Saturday night, celebrating community, inclusion, and the incredible contributions of people of all abilities.

Events like this highlight the importance of building a community where everyone belongs, everyone is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you to Inclusion Lethbridge for bringing people together in support of this shared vision.

Lethbridge Police have charged a 23-year-old father in connection with an incident that endangered the life of his two-year-old son.

On May 27, police responded to a business along the 500 block of 1 Avenue South after security staff intervened to prevent a toddler in an unattended stroller from entering traffic. Security staff reported an extremely intoxicated male was slumped against a pillar nearby when the two-year-old, who was strapped inside a stroller, used his feet to propel himself towards 1 Avenue. There were no other adults present and the male made no attempt to retrieve the child. Security staff proceeded to stop the toddler from entering traffic and contacted police with concerns for his safety.

Upon police arrival, officers spoke to the male who displayed signs of gross intoxication and was unable to care for himself or his young child. Open liquor was subsequently located in a bag attached to the stroller.

The investigation determined the male was bound by conditions prohibiting him from possessing and consuming alcohol. He was arrested without incident at the scene. The child, who was unharmed, was cared for by police until family members arrived to take custody.

A 23-year-old male, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the child victim, is charged with one count of failing to provide the necessaries of life and four counts of breaching release order conditions. Following a Judicial Interim Release hearing, the male was remanded in custody to appear in court today.

The pre-selected locations monitored by photo radar for June 2026 are listed in the calendar.

Motorists are advised to always obey posted speed limits and pay careful attention around schools and playgrounds, especially when children are outside playing, school is in session or community events are taking place that result in increased traffic to the area. Harmonized playground zones are in effect daily from 7:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Please be advised it is inappropriate to approach photo radar operators to complain. Complaints should be directed to the Lethbridge Police Service by calling 403-327-2210.

For more information about Automated Traffic Enforcement in Lethbridge, including an updated list of sites monitored by photo radar, visit: https://www.lethbridgepolice.ca/community-safety/automated-traffic-enforcement/

This morning the Downtown Lethbridge BRZ celebrated the 5th Anniversary of Festival Square. The LPS Downtown Police Unit was among those recognized for helping to shape the area, making it a vibrant gathering space that benefits the community.

Congratulations to Staff Sergeant Trevor Sheppard, recipient of the Cal Byam Shooting Award Trophy for 2025.

The award was bestowed by Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh, Training Unit Sergeant Travis Evenson, and Mr. Barry Byam, son of the award’s namesake, Cst. Cal Byam. Cst. Cal Byam is an honoured member of the LPS, who died while in the line of duty on June 10, 1964.