The Lethbridge Police Service recently released its 2025 Annual Report and an updated safety plan for the next few years, showing that overall crime is lower than past peaks despite a recent rise in shoplifting. This update for residents in Lethbridge, Alberta, explains how the police used their budget last year and what they plan to prioritize through 2027.
According to the report, crime in the city dropped by 16 percent in 2024, though it rose by about 10 percent during the first nine months of 2025. Shoplifting saw a large increase of 61 percent, while vehicle thefts fell by nearly 24 percent, with most incidents happening in the downtown area.
The department is focusing on three main goals: community safety, talking more with residents, and keeping the organization healthy. Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh, whose leadership was recently extended to 2029, noted that the service is now nearly fully staffed after hiring 27 new officers in 2024.
A recent survey shows that 84 percent of residents are happy with the police, while 70 percent feel the city is a safe place to live. The department is also preparing to start using body-worn cameras by the end of 2026 to meet a provincial requirement.
Mayor Blaine Hyggen and the Lethbridge Police Commission confirmed the local service will not be replaced by a provincial agency and will remain a municipal department. The police are also using provincial money for a new program that uses data to track frequent offenders and connect them with social supports.
