ARTICLES

Following the conclusion of a criminal trial, on September 1, 2022, Medicine Hat Police Service Constable Myles Steiger was found guilty of assault in connection with an off-duty incident that occurred on April 21, 2021 and was given an 18-month suspended sentence by the Court.

Cst. Steiger is a 12-year member of the MHPS. He has been placed on administrative duties since June 23, 2021. The Service will now assess the findings of the court and commence an internal disciplinary process under the Police Act. The disciplinary process will determine whether any discipline, up to and including dismissal, is appropriate.

To ensure appropriate oversight, the Chair of the Medicine Hat Police Commission, and the provincial Director of Law Enforcement, have been provided with updates on the progress of this investigation on an ongoing basis.

Media Contact:

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

A variety of weapons, including a rifle, were seized from the home of an alleged Medicine Hat drug dealer. ALERT seized fentanyl and methamphetamine from the home as well.

The seizure and arrest took place on August 30, 2022, when ALERT Medicine Hat’s Regional Property Crime Unit executed a search warrant at a home located in the Southwest Hill area of Medicine Hat, with help from the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS).

The following items were seized from the home:

• Rifle and ammunition;
• Crossbow;
• Taser;
• Dart launcher;
• 15 grams of fentanyl;
• 31 grams of methamphetamine; and
• $6,360 cash.

James McNulty, 41, was charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of proceeds of crime, and unauthorized possession of identity documents.

McNulty was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on September 29, 2022, in Medicine Hat, AB.

“Clearly there were variety of dangerous weapons seized during this investigation and what’s most concerning is the home’s proximity to a junior high school. Anytime drugs and weapons mix it poses a threat to public safety and community well-being,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Thorburn, ALERT Medicine Hat.

Members of the community who suspect drug, gang or property crime issues in their neighborhood can submit tips anonymously through the MHPS website at mhps.ca or the MHPS mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

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.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Staff Sgt. Ryan Thorburn
Medicine Hat Organized Crime team
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 403-529-8425

The Medicine Hat Police Service is requesting public assistance following a rash of residential or commercial break and enters that occurred during the evening of August 31^st, 2022 / the early morning hours of September 1^st, 2022. The offences occurred in the Ross Glen, East Glen and Crestwood areas of Medicine Hat.

A male is in custody for multiple offences and the MHPS is requesting that anyone who has been impacted and has not yet file a police report contact the MHPS by calling the non-emergency line at 403-529-8481.

More information on the crime spree will be release once the investigation is complete.

Media Contact:

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

During a recent investigation, the Medicine Hat Police Service seized multiple stolen items including: a vintage sports card collection, a coin collection and jewelry. A search of previous reports of items reported as stolen has been unsuccessful in identifying the potential owners and as such the MHPS is requesting that anyone with information that could assist in identifying the rightful owners contact Constable Adam Johnston by email at Adam.Johnston@mhps.ca

At 0729hrs on Saturday, August 20th, 2022, a Manitoba semi tractor/trailer eastbound on the TransCanada. (TC Highway) failed to stop for a red light at the 7^th St SW intersection in Medicine Hat, Alberta.  

A northbound Kia Seltos SUV, driven by a 46 year old Medicine Hat male, was proceeding from 7^th St SW across  the TC Hwy intersection.  

The semi tractor/trailer collided with the Kia Seltos on the driver's side of the vehicle.  The driver of the Kia Seltos was transported by EMS to the hospital with undetermined injuries.  Members of the Traffic unit continue the investigation and charges are pending  

On the morning of August 16, 2022, the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a serious assault on the riverbank of the South Saskatchewan River in Strathcona Park. As a result of the investigation, Andrew Beaudoin (32 years of age) of Medicine Hat was arrested and charged with the following offences.

• Aggravated Assault
• Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to the public x 2
• Breach of Release Order x 2

Beaudoin was held for Judicial Interim Release Hearing, where he was remanded into custody pending his next court appearance on August 23^rd, 2022

Staff Sergeant Jason Graham

Criminal Investigation Section

One person was arrested and over $100,000 worth of drugs was seized after a Medicine Hat hotel room was searched.

ALERT Medicine Hat’s organized crime team and Medicine Hat Police Service teamed up to make the seizure and arrest on August 11, 2022. Criminal intelligence was shared between the two partner agencies concerning suspected drug trafficking activity in the region.

A search warrant executed at a hotel in Ross Glen that resulted in the following items being seized:

• 242 grams of fentanyl;
• 252 grams of methamphetamine; and
• 423 grams of cocaine.

The drugs have an estimated street value of $106,000.

“Our agencies work in tandem to keep Medicine Hat safe and take harmful drugs off the street. This is a large amount of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine to take out of circulation, and in doing so also hold a drug dealer accountable,” said Staff Sergeant Ryan Thorburn, ALERT Medicine Hat.

Mathew Hillier was arrested and the 37-year-old man was charged with:

• Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking;
• Possession of stolen property;
• Obstructing a peace officer; and
• Failure to comply with a release order.

Hillier is scheduled to appear in court on August 18, 2022.

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.

On the early morning hours of August 16, 2022, the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a serious assault located at a campsite on the riverbank of the South Saskatchewan River in Strathcona Park.  As a result of this incident, a 19-year-old male was transported to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital where he remains with serious, nonlife threatening injuries.  

The Medicine Hat Police Service’s Major Crimes Unit is currently investigating this matter and if you have any information that can assist, please contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at 1-403-529-8481.

On August 13^th at approximately 1:30 a.m. police responded to the area of Ross Glen RD SE and Ross Haven AVE SE for a report of two suspicious males, with one male observed brandishing a handgun. Information provided to Medicine Hat 911 was that one of the males pulled a hand gun from his waistband and pointed it at a passing car after a brief verbal exchange with the occupants of that vehicle.

Upon arrival police located two males matching the provided descriptions in the parking lot of the Ross Glen water park. Both males were challenged by attending police and taken into immediate custody. 27 year-old Jonah Perrin was found in possession of a loaded 9mm Glock pistol with an additional loaded magazine on his person.

Perrin was lodged for a bail hearing which was conducted later in the day on August 14^th. Perrin was released with several pre-trial conditions prohibiting him from attending the area of Ross Glen water park, possessing any firearms or other weapons and to surrender to police any additional firearms he may possess, not to associate with the second male (not charged in this event) who was present at the time of the offences.

Perrin’s next court date is Sept 8^th in Medicine Hat.

Charges Laid:

90(1) CC: Carry Concealed Weapon

93(1)(C) CC: Possess Firearm in unauthorized Place

95 CC: Possess Loaded Firearm

88(1) CC: Posses Weapon Dangerous to Public

87(1) CC: Pointing a Firearm

86(1) CC: Careless Use of a Firearm

*The vehicle and occupant(s) involved in this event have yet to be identified.

On International Women’s Day the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) pledged to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of individuals in the community (Medicine Hat & surrounding area) who lead, inspire, and motivate women and work to break the bias towards advancing gender equity. Each month the MHPS, in partnership with the Medicine Hat Police Association, selects a local individual(s) to highlight and celebrate as a” Be The Change” award recipient. The “Be the Change” award recognizes and celebrates the achievements of individuals who are catalysts for change in our community, and are working to advance women professionally and personally.

This month, Michelle Campbell has been chosen as the recipient of the MHPS “Be the Change Award.” Michelle is the epitome of ‘if it doesn’t exist… create it!’ She steps up when she sees a need and will never back down from something because it will take some effort and coordination. Michelle amazes us all with her ability to schedule and make the most of her time being a wife to a local business owner, mother to three very athletic children and an education assistant working for MHCBE at McCoy high school. Whether it is a late-night email or a phone call while she is chauffeuring kids from sport to sport, Michelle is always thinking about how to improve the landscape and equality of athletics in our community.

Michelle is the president of the Medicine Hat Minor Softball Association and among other attributes, she is admired by many for her determination when it comes to gender equality in female sports, especially softball. The gender inequality conversation in professional sports is something we have all heard about, but Michelle is taking on the challenge at a grass roots level, along with a dedicated group of like-minded volunteers. Through petitioning the City of Medicine Hat to ease the ball diamond crunch or working to make the diamonds we currently use safer and better equipped for female athletes, Michelle is dedicated to improving the facilities and association for future generations. With the extreme growth the Medicine Hat Minor Softball Association has seen, she wanted to keep the predominately female sport growing and empowering the younger generations of female athletes and coaches.

The Medicine Hat Minor Softball program travel teams have seen massive growth which has not been done without hard work and dedication. The program was once struggling to fill three teams in 2017, and now surges with eight teams in 2022. With growth of the Thunder program, Michelle discovered a need in Southern Alberta for a developmental softball series to handle the additional teams in the program. Michelle was then a driving force behind the creation of the Southern Alberta Softball Series, which has seen four age divisions compete in three weekends of tournament play in Medicine Hat, Calgary, and Lethbridge. This series not only impacted 50 young female athletes in Medicine Hat but has also impacted an additional 150 young female athletes across Southern Alberta: ranging in age from 9 to 17 years old.

In addition to being at the helm of softball in Medicine Hat, Michelle has been actively involved with the Medicine Hat Panthers Track and Field club since 2015.  During this time, the club has grown from 19 kids and one coach, which trained for 10 weeks/year on the old shale track behind Cresent Heights High School (CHHS), to 200+ athletes and 20+ coaches who have the option to train year-round on the new track and field facilities at the eight lane Rotary Track and indoor season at the Family Leisure Centre. With the mandate to encourage athletes to participate and develop excellence in Track and Field while maintaining an emphasis on multi sport athletes. One of the first members of the club was Olympian, Sage Watson, who has become a great role model and inspiration for all the athletes.  Michelle is very proud of the top-notch club and how many awesome female coaches and athletes we have from a cross section of multi sport disciplines.

You can either choose to inspire others by your words or by your actions. Michelle has chosen to inspire others by her actions and has always strived to do what is best for the organizations in which she volunteers. Through her many hours, tears, and sleepless nights, many will never know, Michelle has made her mark on our community. Michelle has set a standard of what a strong female role model looks like. They say that a volunteer doesn’t necessarily have the time, they just have the heart! One thing Michelle is so proud of to this day, is the number of female athletes who have returned as coaches and mentors as part of the program. Michelle, thank you for paving the way for so many female athletes, coaches and for advocating tirelessly to equal the playing field.