Lethbridge police officers demoted in 'MemeGate' misconduct case
Senior constables David Easter and Matthew Rilkoff, who previously pleaded guilty to misconduct charges, have been demoted in rank to first class constables for one year.
The sanctions were handed down earlier Tuesday afternoon during the continuation of a disciplinary hearing.
The demotions take effect Dec. 1 and result in a $15,000 decrease in salary.
On Nov. 2, 2021 the officers entered guilty pleas under the Police Act and Police Service Regulation to the following counts:
- The use of profane, abusive or insulting language toward a member of a police service or the public;
- Insubordination through words or actions;
- Neglect of duty by failing to report a matter that was their duty to report; and,
- Abetting or knowingly being an accessory to a contravention by another peace officer.
At the time, a joint submission for a demotion in rank was put forward and on Nov. 30, the presiding officer demoted both the officers by two grades.
CLEAR MESSAGE SENT
Criminology expert and lecturer Ritesh Narayan believes a strict punishment sends a clear message.
"One of the things that one must pay a lot of attention to is what kind of precedent the punishment will set," he told CTV News.
"Like if the sentencing, the punishment, has denunciation ideology behind it as being clearly punitive."
Easter and Rilkoff were two of five officers who took part in a group chat back in 2018 called the "Meme Militia" that shared offensive photos, sometimes using their work phones.
They not only targeted high-ranking LPS members, but also poked fun at mental and physical disabilities.
The officers were suspended with pay in March of 2021.
In June, all five pleaded not guilty to a total of 32 misconduct charges.
TAKEN A TOLL
The situation has undoubtedly taken its toll on the force.
"What they have done has definitely affected the integrity of the police agency and integrity is very fundamental in justifying the legitimacy of policing," said Narayan.
Three additional officers were also charged with misconduct in the matter.
Sgt. Jason Moulding pleaded guilty to five of six charges he faces.
His hearing will continue on Jan. 10.
Const. Keon Woronuk and Derek Riddell have since resigned from the LPS and are expected to make the official announcement at a future hearing proceeding.
In order to maintain the integrity of the ongoing process, the LPS has said they will not provide any further comment at this time.
Once the hearings have finished, police will be available for comment and an update outlining all the sanctions will be provided to the public on the LPS website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.