ARTICLES

Fifteen police cadets began training in Medicine Hat this week as the result of a collaborative partnership between the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), Lethbridge Police Service (LPS), Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) and Lethbridge College (LC). This is the fourth time that the LC Police Cadet Program has been hosted by the MHPS since 2016.

The class comprised of ten MHPS cadets, three from the LPS and two from MFNPS will participate in a 24-week training program that will provide participants with crucial skills and knowledge such as de-escalation, interpersonal problem solving, professionalism, adaptability, community service, firearms, public safety, organizational awareness, teamwork, report writing and investigative techniques. Those that graduate from competency- based program will earn LC academic credentials that meet the Alberta Provincial Policing Standards.

“The Lethbridge College Police Cadet program is a unique program that partners regional police services with our institution,” said Trudi Mason, Dean Centre for Justice and Human Services LC. “We are excited to collaborate with the MHPS to offer high quality and relevant training that meets the needs of our partner agencies and our communities.”

“LPS congratulates the 15 cadets selected for this class as they take the first steps to begin their careers in policing,” said Lethbridge Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh. “We appreciate the strong partnership with LC to provide comprehensive, foundational training that will ensure each cadet is well-prepared to serve their respective communities. To our three cadets, welcome to the LPS family.”

“The MHPS honored to once again host the police cadet training program,” said MHPS Chief Joe West. “Upon graduation the successful cadets will provide the skilled personnel needed to fill current staff vacancies and will enhance our ability to serve and protect the community.”

Following graduation, the cadets will return to their communities to join their respective agencies and begin their policing careers.

Media Contact:

Rita Sittler
Administrative Services Manager
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416
Email: rita.sittler@mhps.ca

Tina Karst
Communications Coordinator
Lethbridge College
Ph: 403-320-3203
Email: tina.karst@lethbridgecollege.ca

Kristen Saturley
Strategic Communications Manager
Lethbridge Police Service
Ph: 403-330-5030
Email: Kristen.Saturley@lethbridgepolice.ca

On September 28^th, 2022, at 5:54 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Patrol Section responded to a motor vehicle collision that occurred when a Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by an unknown suspect, crashed into an attached garage of a home located in the 500 block of 6^th Street NE. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had previously been reported as stolen out of Brooks, AB.

Patrol officers along with the MHPS K9 Unit searched the area however were unsuccessful in locating the suspect.

The cost of the damage to the residence is yet to be determined as the structural integrity of the garage is unknown. There were no injuries as a resulting from the collision and the matter is still under investigation.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Rod Thompson
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

This month, the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) will join other police agencies in the province to implement the use of Health IM, a mobile application that connects emergency responders with critical data on individuals suffering from unmanaged mental health challenges and/or substance abuse issues.

To facilitate access, all MHPS police officers have been equipped with cell phones connected to the app, putting valuable information like an individual’s mental health history, possible triggers, and de-escalation strategies right at their fingertips. This empathetic and evidence-based approach to emergency mental health crisis response has proven to increase safety of law enforcement personnel, improve crisis outcomes, promote more effective oversight, and reduce the impact on policing resources.

Health IM is a provincially funded software solution and consists of four (4) components to assist law enforcement during crisis situations:

• A pre-response safety briefing providing previously obtained information on de-escalation techniques and triggers as well as a brief synopsis of critical safety factors;
• A mental health risk screener to provide a rapid on scene evaluation of risk using clinically validated algorithms to assist in evaluating the risk of harm;
• Inter-agency communication that allows for the viewing of previously attended mental health calls by other policing agencies and allow for the wireless transmission of data to the regional hospital including a digitized form 10, under the Alberta Mental Health Act, and;
• Reporting and analytics, providing timely access to key metrics.

Thanks to additional financial resources donated by the Brandon Niwa Legacy Fund – ‘The Beej Project’, through the Medicine Hat College Community Engagement Office, costs of the technology required for the MHPS to launch Health IM have also been covered.

“Providing officers with access to real-time and relevant information on individuals suffering from mental health and substance abuse issues will increase safety when officers respond to situations with people in crisis,” says Joe West, Interim Chief of the MHPS. “We would like to thank Medicine Hat College and the Niwa family for their support.”

Media Contact:

Insp. Brent Secondiak
Support Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8412

The Medicine Hat Police Service is happy to report that the missing child that had been previously reported as missing has been located safe and sound. We thank the public for the assistance with phone calls and self iniated searches. We also want to thank the following:

• South Eastern Alberta Search and Rescue (SEASAR);
• Lethbridge and Area Search and Rescue.

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), in collaboration with the Miywasin Friendship Centre, held a traditional Blackfoot naming ceremony on September 23, 2022, in the MHPS Community Boardroom.  During the ceremony a Blackfoot name was bestowed upon the community space, to honor and acknowledge the Indigenous history of the land.

Medicine Hat is situated on Treaty 7 and Treaty 4 territory, traditional lands of the Siksika (Blackfoot), Kainai (blood), Pikani (Peigan), Stoney- Nakoda, and Tsuut`ina (Sarcee) as well as the Cree, Sioux and the Saulteaux bands of the Ojibwa peoples and is also on the Métis Nation within District Two, Battle River Territory.  According to the most recently available census data (2021), Medicine Hat is currently home to approximately 3,225 residents who identify as Indigenous.

One of the goals of the MHPS Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan developed in 2021, was to create a respectful working relationship with all Indigenous people and enhance cultural understanding.  Working with members of the Chief’s Indigenous Advisory Committee, it was felt that renaming the boardroom would pay tribute to the history of this area being a traditional gathering spot for Indigenous communities.

During the ceremony the name, Aahkoinnimaan ni, was selected by Elder Charlie Fox of the Kainai Nation, a word that translates as the sacred pipe, a symbol of justice and peace that has a traditional role in the resolution of issues.

After the ceremony a come-and-go celebration was held to allow all community members an opportunity to attend and view a mural painted by local Métis artist, Ray-Al Hochman.  The room also has four canvas art pieces installed that were created by JoLynn Parenteau, an Indigenous housing and homeless navigator with the Miywasin Friendship Centre and a member of the Chief’s Indigenous Advisory Committee.  Each of the four paintings highlights the traditional language of the Blackfoot, Michif, Ojibwe and Plains Cree peoples. 

“Police Services throughout Alberta have been working toward answering the “Calls to Action” resulting from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” said MHPS Chief Joe West. “The Service is honoured to provide this gesture of recognition and acknowledgement of Indigenous peoples and the land we share.”

“The Miywasin Friendship Centre commends the MHPS for their steadfast commitment to reconciliation with Medicine Hat's urban Indigenous community,” said JoLynn Parenteau of the Miywasin Friendship Centre.  “From building relationships at the street level to inviting Elders in to honour their space with ceremony, the MHPS respects and acknowledges the traditional Treaty land where they work to protect and serve our community."

The Aahkoinnimaan ni room is a meeting space, that can accommodate groups of up to 60 people, and is available for community groups to book free of charge upon request.  To book the Aahkoinnimaan ni room, complete the Community Boardroom request form found the MHPS website.

Media Contact:

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

In the early morning hours of September 18th, 2022, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service were called to a residence in the 300 block of 7th St SE for weapons offences.   Due to the nature of the complaint, the MHPS Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiators were called to the location.

After several hours at the scene, members entered the residence after attempts to contact were unsuccessful and located a male who died of self-inflicted injuries.

Due to the nature of the investigation and respect for family members no further information will be released regarding this event.

On September 16th at approximately 10:00 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to a business located in the 1700 block of Dunmore RD SE following a report that a vehicle had drove through the front wall of a store.

Upon arrival at the scene, it was determined that a vehicle, with a lone driver, had crashed through the wall and plate glass windows of a store. The business was open at the time but fortunately no one in the store or the driver were injured.

The investigation ruled out any concern of impaired driving and determined that a lack of vehicle control was the cause of the collision. The investigation is still ongoing, and damages are estimated at approximately $40,000.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Kelsey Fraser
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

Please avoid the area of the 100 block of South Railway Street as emergency crews are currently at the scene of a fire.  

The Medicine Hat Police Service has received information of a potential fake gold/ jewellery scam occurring in our area. Victims of this scams are approached by persons who advise the that they were selling legitimate items, historically gold and silver jewelry, that is supposedly valued tens of thousands of dollars and being sold for a substantially reduced amount.

The victims of the fraud later learn that the items are worthless, but only after having lost a substantial amount of money. During the conversation, while the victims are distracted, they are sometimes also pick-pocketed or targeted by the scam artists for theft from vehicles.

The most practical advice when presented with an opportunity is, that if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to report it by calling the non-emergency line 403-529-8481 or by submitting a tip via the MHPS website (mhps.ca) or mobile app. The MHPS app is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Media Contact:

A/Insp Jason Graham
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8411

On the morning of September 11th, at approximately 11:00 a.m. members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to a residence on Cooper Road SE following a report of a male who had threatened a neighbor with a handgun. Information received stated that a male approached a neighbor, brandished a handgun, made a direct threat to the victim, before returning to his home.

Upon arrival at the scene officers secured the immediate area to ensure that the male suspect was contained to his home, and after some negotiating, the male suspect was taken into custody without incident.

A search warrant was then executed on the suspect’s home and a black handgun style BB gun, along with a holster was located.

The male suspect is identified as 44-year-old, Dennis Lecaine of Medicine Hat, AB. Lecaine was charged with following offences.

• Utter Threats,
• Possession of a Weapon Dangerous,
• Point Firearm

Lecaine was held for a Judicial Intern Release hearing, where he was released pending his next court appearance in Medicine Hat Provincial Court on October 5, 2022.

Media Contact:

Acting Inspector Jason Graham
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-581-7880