Lethbridge police officers demoted in ‘MemeGate’ scandal

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on December 1, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The sentence for two Lethbridge police officers who previously pleaded guilty to professional misconduct charges under the Police Act and Police Service Regulation, has been determined.
Const. David Easter and Const. Matt Rilkoff of the Lethbridge Police Service have been demoted within rank for one year effective Dec. 1.
Tuesday’s sentencing hearing was in regard to a 2018 incident involving the creation and distribution of memes determined to be offensive and against LPS policies, which became known at the time as “MemeGate”.
The images in question were reported to include pictures of senior staff pasted onto the bodies of characters from the animated comedy film “Toy Story.”
The communications were described in an agreed statement of facts as “profane, abusive and insulting” and targeted executive officers, other officers, and society in general.
The hearing was originally adjourned to mid-December but sanctions were handed down on Tuesday at the Galt Museum.
Paul Manuel, Presiding Officer for the Lethbridge Police Service Professional Conduct Hearing No. 2021.001 (meme investigation), accepted a joint submission that was put forward at last month’s hearing proposing a demotion within a rank of two levels of seniority, which would result in both constables being demoted from senior constable level 2 to first class constable with a reduction of pay that would amount to approximately $15,000 for one year.
Three additional officers were originally charged with misconduct in the matter. Const. Keon Woronuk and Const. Derek Riddell have now resigned and Sgt. Jason Moulton who previously pleaded guilty to two counts of discreditable conduct, two counts of neglect of duty, one count of insubordination and not guilty to one further count of discreditable conduct, is scheduled to resume his proceedings on Jan. 10, 2022.
Police conduct in Alberta is governed by the Criminal Code of Canada and Alberta’s Police Act and Police Service Regulation. There is a range of potential disciplinary outcomes in cases of misconduct, including changes to policy and training, reprimand, demotion, pay deductions, suspension and dismissal.
-with files from The Canadian Press

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