Commission says Mehdizadeh right leader for future of LPS

By Lethbridge Herald on March 9, 2023.

Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh receives the Lethbridge Police Service flag from interim chief Scott Woods during a change of command ceremony in 2020. The police commission has now extended Mehdizadeh’s contract for an additional three years. Herald file photo

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Lethbridge Police Commission has extended the contract of Lethbridge Police Service chief Shahin Mehdizadeh for an additional three years. 

Police commission chair Dawna Coslovi said Thursday the commission wanted to have continuity after many positive changes had taken place within the LPS. 

“We have a new four-year budget and we want to continue this contract because we want to make sure that the same positive direction that we have seen for the past two-and-a-half years continues into the future,” said Coslovi. 

She said Mehdizadeh possesses great leadership skills and supports his team while also keeping employees accountable. He has brought positive change to the organization which is why the commission wanted to extend his contract. 

“We looked at his performance review and we determined that he is the leader that we want leading this organization into the future,” said Coslovi. 

Coslovi said that thanks to his work ethic and how he treats his team, the chief’s team responds accordingly. 

“That in turn, allows the LPS employees to just do the best work they can do, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in the future,” said Coslovi. 

She also explained that the commission extended the contract for another three years since that is usually the length of time implemented for a chief of police. 

Mehdizadeh said Wednesday he was happy to receive an extension of his contract as he works with a great team. 

“We have amazing people and at the end, our job is to serve a great community. I’m looking forward to leading the great people at LPS and serving the community,” said Mehdizadeh. 

He said the commission had previously asked him if he was interested in extending his contract while members were discussing the possibility, and when he agreed they went ahead with the process. 

Mehdizadeh said there is not much of a change when it comes to future plans within the LPS now that his contract has been extended. 

“From my prospective, not much changes. We just continue to look at different initiatives to serve our community, making it safer and connecting with our citizens. That really doesn’t change, just moving forward with what we are already doing,” said Mehdizadeh. 

He added that his contract extension brings stability to the team and therefore they can keep moving forward. 

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