Doug Thornton
Chair
Doug believes that a well functioning police service is an integral part of living in a modern community. The Police Commission, representing our citizens in the oversight of our service, needs considered representation from a broad cross section of Community Members. While understanding that one must not stifle the efforts of management in the provision of excellent service, oversight is integral to establishing trust in our police service among the Citizens of Lethbridge. Doug has served briefly as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and there gained some knowledge of the challenges facing the men and women of our Police Service.
Jen Visser
First Vice Chair, Public Complaints Director
Matthew McHugh
Second Vice Chair, Human Resources Representative
Matthew is a local lawyer and partner at Fee Simple Law. Matthew was raised in Southern Alberta and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Canadian Studies from the University of Lethbridge followed by a Masters of Philosophy in Peace and Conflict Transformation at Nelson Mandela University. After his Masters, Matthew went on to complete a law degree at McGill University. He has worked as a governance consultant, and served on various boards including the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association. Matthew is concurrently serving on the Community Safety Strategy Committee for the City of Lethbridge.
Brett Carlson
J. Brett Carlson was born in the prairie’s but spent most of his early life in Northern Alberta. He returned to Saskatchewan to do undergraduate degrees at the University of Regina in Political Science and Psychology. He then attended the University of Victoria for his law degree. He relocated to Lethbridge in 2004 with his wife. They have remained in Lethbridge since and are raising their family here.
Clement Esene
Clement Esene is a visionary leader and co-founder of two successful organizations – BIPOC Foundation and Daniola Corporation. Originally from Nigeria, Clement arrived in Canada over a decade ago as an international student to pursue his post-graduate education, and moved to Lethbridge with his family in 2020.
Clement is a dedicated community leader who serves in various capacities to promote a united, engaged, and empowered community. He currently serves as Vice-President of the Association of Nigerians in Lethbridge. Clement aims to advance racial and gender equality by providing tools, resources, and services to early-stage entrepreneurs in order to create significant entrepreneurship opportunities for diverse communities.
Hunter Heggie
Hunter was born and raised in Southern Alberta and claims his family as his greatest achievement. He is a journeyman carpenter by trade and is the owner of several business units in and around Lethbridge. As a stakeholder in the community, Commissioner Heggie has been involved in the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, the Community Safety Strategy Committee and the Heart of the City Committee among various volunteerism capacities across this wonderful place he calls home. Commissioner Heggie is passionate about a cleaner, safer and holistically better community.
Noella Piquette
Dr. Noëlla Piquette, [retired] Associate Professor and Registered Psychologist, brings a wide range of skills and knowledge to the table. She has successfully collaborated in local, provincial, national and international research projects requiring communication skills, and expertise in cultural and diversity awareness.
Noëlla has served as a Board member and President for numerous not-for-profit agencies over the past 30 years and has been intimately involved in the successful long term and short term planning committees.
Jenn Schmidt-Rempel
City Council Representative
Commissioner Schmidt-Rempel was raised in a small town in southern Alberta, and attended the University of Lethbridge where she completed a BA in English. A lifelong Southern Albertan, Jenn and her husband have built their home and businesses in Lethbridge, the community they are proud to call home.
Jenn is a partner in a communications and marketing consulting business, has owned several local quick-serve restaurant franchises, and is a former owner, publisher, and editor of Lethbridge living magazine. In 2021, Jenn was elected to Lethbridge City Council for her first term. She has also served on numerous community and provincial boards, including the Premier’s Advisory Task Force on Ukraine, the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, and Economic Development Lethbridge. Jenn has represented Lethbridge on eight Team Lethbridge missions to strengthen relationships with provincial decision-makers.
She is passionate about community, connection, and collaboration, and believes deeply in the power of storytelling to bring people together, and works to ensure that the voice of our city is heard, valued, and represented.
Ryan Wolfe
City Council Representative
Ryan is originally from Saskatchewan but has called southern Alberta home for 25 years. Ryan and his wife raised their children near Lethbridge and eventually moved right into the City.
Ryan earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Athabasca University with a concentration in Political Economics. He has worked as a licensed Mortgage Broker for more than 15 years.
Ryan believes deeply that Lethbridge is a wonderful city, and that the people that call this city home are truly our best asset. Ryan is pleased to combine his volunteer efforts with so many others and over the years has really enjoyed coaching various sports, volunteering with Scouts Canada, helping at the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen and serving in his church community.
Together, he and his family enjoy travelling, time with friends and feel especially grateful to be so close to the mountains.
Elizabeth Thompson-Wensveen
Executive Director
Elizabeth Thompson-Wensveen serves as Executive Director of the Lethbridge Police Commission, supporting the Commission’s oversight role. She brings a strong background in municipal administration, legislative services, and communications, with experience across several Southern Alberta municipalities. In addition to her municipal work, she has also gained experience in policy development, project management and public communications through work with a Canadian non-profit think tank. Elizabeth is currently completing her Master’s in Political Science at the University of Lethbridge.