ARTICLES

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Criminal Investigation Section (CIS), in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, has charged a former MHPS detention guard with unauthorized use of a computer.

The accused who was employed by the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires at the time of the offence worked in detention facility of the MHPS and is alleged to have accessed private information for reasons that were not work-related.

It is believed that the accused conducted over 100 searches of police databases between 2022 and 2023, in an attempt to access information that was not required for a valid work-related purpose.

A MHPS Supervisor became aware of the breach and immediately notified the CIS. An investigation was launched and the guard’s access to the MHPS facility and information were immediately removed while the investigation was ongoing and will now be permanent.

Resulting from this investigation, Teagan Austin, 20-years-old, of Medicine Hat, AB has been charged with one count of fraudulent use of a computer.

“The MHPS does not take it for granted that we are entrusted with private and often very sensitive information about the people we serve. This is a responsibility we take very seriously, and it is completely unacceptable for any officer or civilian employee to accesses private information without a valid reason” said Alan Murphy, MHPS Chief of Police.

The law and MHPS policies only permit employees to access private information for police business. Database searches and network activity are tracked with certain activities being flagged automatically for review. All employees and contractors within MHPS who require computer systems access are also required to pass enhanced security checks before getting access to databases with private information.

The MHPS has notified the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of the breaches and does not have any reason to suspect the information was shared for any financial gain.

Anyone concerned that their information may have been accessed is asked to contact the MHPS by e-mail at inquiries@mhps.ca

This information is being released in the interest of public transparency.

On July 9 at approximately 4:45 AM, unknown persons committed a break and enter to store located in the 500 block of Rutherford Street NW, by smashing through the front entry glass door and windows.

Once inside, the suspects stole cash from a register as well as used a vehicle to assist in removing an ATM.

The suspects were driving a blue Dodge Ram half ton truck believed to be stolen from a previous incident.

The investigation is still ongoing, and the Medicine Hat Police Service is asking anyone with information that could assist the investigation to call 403-529-8400.

Media Contact:

Patrol Staff Sergeant
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

The investigation into the suspicious package found behind a business in the 600 block of Clay Avenue on June 23, 2023 has determined it to be spent fireworks. It is believed to have been inadvertently left as garbage and not deliberately placed to cause fear. There is no continuing investigation, and the matter is now concluded.

The Medicine Hat Police Service Traffic Unit will be conducting an Over Dimensional Load Escort on June 27, 2023 starting at 9:00 am from a business in the Southwest Industrial area of Medicine Hat to Hwy #1 westbound.  The movement of this load with cause delays in the Southwest Industrial area and Hwy #1 in both the east and west bound lanes of travel due to counterflowing of the load. Please avoid this area if possible, and please obey all directions given by the police and pilot vehicles.

On June 24, 2023, twenty-two local Grade 6 students received scholarships from the Chief Earl Leadership Legacy Fund. The Fund was established in 2008 to celebrate Chief Earl’s contributions to the community and to honor his memory.

Each year, elementary schools identify students from within the local school districts who have demonstrated the qualities of future leaders based on the four core values of the Medicine Hat Police Service, with an additional focus on leadership and citizenship. Since its inception, and as of today, 231 students have been recognized.

The fund is administered through the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta with sponsorship from the Medicine Hat Safe Community Association and Medicine Hat Police Association. Parents of the scholarship recipients are encouraged to place the awards into an existing or newly opened Registered Educational Savings Plan.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients:

Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education Recipients: (6)

• Mother Teresa School: Angela Payas
• St. Michael’s School: Nash Osman
• St. Francis Xavier School: Addyson Darr
• St. Louis School: Jemma Walers
• Ecole St John Paull II: Layla Bell
• Notre Dame Academy: Andreana Wright

Charter/Private School Recipients: (2)

• Ecole Les Cypres: Jaana Tahirou
• CAPE School: Mahleo Gayle

Medicine Hat School District No. 76 Recipients: (14)

• Crestwood School: Kennady Lambert
• Ross Glen School: Colin Peterson
• Connaught School: Jillian Dyck
• Dr Roy Wilson Learning Centre: Lennox Berner
• Webster Niblock School: Daphne Baron
• Vincent Massey School: Grace Woodworth
• River Heights School: Fiona Jennings
• Herald School: Hanna Lee
• George Davison School: Liam Johansen
• Elm Street School: Dana Ponce
• Dr Ken Sauer: Avery Ottenbreit
• Southview School: Brooklyn Johnson
• Medicine Hat Christian School: Nic Brost
• Hub: Hailey Johnson

Media Contact:
Sgt Adam Gregory
Community Support Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8451

UPDATE 11:00 AM The device has been rendered safe and no longer a risk to the community. The investigation is ongoing and further information will be shared when available.

UPDATE 9:50 AM: The MHPS EDU robot is examining the pkg and a loud bang may be heard in the area as a controlled disposal of the device is completed

Members of the MHPS are investigating a report of a suspicious package located behind a business in the 600 block of Clay Ave SE. As a precaution while the investigation is ongoing, neighboring businesses and students and staff at Elm Street School have been asked to shelter in place. There are no road closures in effect at this time and Bridge Street remains open to traffic. Further updates will be provided when available.

A Calgary pair, suspected of trafficking methamphetamine, have been arrested following an ALERT investigation that concluded in Medicine Hat.

Earlier this month, ALERT Medicine Hat received intelligence that led to the identification of a vehicle believed to be involved in drug trafficking. ALERT initiated a planned traffic stop of the vehicle in Medicine Hat and found 510 grams of methamphetamine inside.

The drugs have an estimated street value of $30,540.00.

“It’s our understanding that these drugs were being brought to Medicine Hat with the intention of being sold and ending up on our streets. Having seized this amount, and laying charges on those involved, speaks volumes and says that we don’t want this kind of activity in our community,” said Sgt. David Gornisiewicz, ALERT Medicine Hat.

Shingiral Chinyani, 37, and Nehemie Chery, 31, of Calgary are both facing trafficking charges. The pair remain in custody as they await a bail hearing.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

Media Contact:

Ashley Wiebe
Digital Communications Specialist
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-509-3028

On June 20, 2023 at 9:00 AM the Medicine Hat Police Service Traffic Unit will be conducting an Over Dimensional Load Escort starting at Hwy #1 Redcliff west limits to the Hwy #1 Medicine Hat east city limits. As part of the OD Load escort there will be delays on Hwy #1 and in the Southwest Industrial area of Medicine Hat due to counterflowing of the loads. Please avoid these areas if possible and obey all directions given by the police and the pilot vehicles.

The Medicine Hat Police Service in partnership with the Medicine Hat Police Commission is pleased to present the 2022 Medicine Hat Police Service Annual Report.

The report includes a review of operational highlights, as well as features key accomplishments in relation to the five strategic priorities of: community safety, community engagement, service delivery, organizational wellness, and human resources.

The report also celebrates highlights throughout the year such as the renaming of the Aahkoinnimaan ni Community Boardroom in collaboration with the Miywasin Friendship Centre, to honor and acknowledge the Indigenous history of the land. The MHPS also was pleased to welcome Athena, a second facility dog who along with Mulder, provides invaluable comfort and support to victims of crime.

Throughout the year the MHPS found ways to reconnect with the community following the pandemic with programs such as Coffee with a Cop, the MHPS Open House and the Be The Change award, which celebrated the achievement of individuals in the community who lead, inspire and motivate women to work to break the bias towards advancing gender equity.

To view the entire report, visit the MHPS website.

For more information contact:

Rita Sittler
Administrative Services Manager
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

The Medicine Hat Police Service is asking the public to avoid streets and areas that have been flooded due to the recent storm.   Several streets in the southeast hill are impassible due to water.   Please allow municipal works room to work and avoid the area.