ARTICLES

Shortly after 7:00 pm, on August 23, 2024, the Medicine Hat Police Service patrol officers responded to a domestic violence complaint at a condominium complex located in the 1600 block of Saamis Dr NW., Medicine Hat, Alberta. At the outset of the incident, police believed that a weapon had been involved in the incident. Police were able evacuate occupants from the complex and utilized an on-duty crisis negotiator to de-escalate the situation and safely take the suspect into custody.

Police secured the area and utilized the MHPS Tactical Team, Explosive Disposal Team, and Crisis Negotiators to resolve the incident. The actions of the suspect resulted in people being displaced from their homes until the matter was resolved. Units that worked behind the scenes included Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services and an Information Management Section Clerk.

At 1:02 am, August 24, a 27-year-old male suspect was taken into police custody and is awaiting a Judicial Interim Release Hearing.

The suspect will be facing charges that include:

• Forcible Confinement
• Assault by Choking
• Breach of Probation
• Breach of a Conditional Sentence Order  

The Medicine Hat Police Service would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Medicine Hat Fire Service and Alberta Health Services for their assistance.

There is a significant emergency services presence in the area of Southview Drive and Park Meadows Drive SW. Due to the ongoing investigation,  Southview Drive SW between Southview Court SE and Dunmore Road SE, will be closed until further notice.notice.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area and use an alternate route.

S/Sgt. Trevor Humphries - Patrol Team #1  

Medicine Hat Police Service

On August 14, 2024, at 2:52 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service - Patrol Section responded to a 911 call for emergency assistance reporting a break and enter to a residence located in the 600 block of 8th Street SE.  The homeowners were present when their home was forcibly entered by a suspect not known to them. Upon arrival, the suspect was taken into custody with the assistance of the homeowner. The suspect was a 54-year-old Medicine Hat man. He was held in custody for a bail hearing and subsequently released to appear in court on August 28, 2024.  

Acting Inspector Trevor Humphries
Operations Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
 

On August 14, 2024, at 2:00 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service - Patrol Section were conducting proactive patrols in the area 400 block of North Railway St. SE when they observed a male exiting a business. With the time of night and the location, officers investigated and found the building to be insecure and numerous items had been removed. As a result of this investigation a 44-year-old man from Medicine Hat was subsequently taken into custody and charged with break and enter and commit theft over $5000. All of the stolen property was recovered near the scene of the break and enter. The accused was held for a bail hearing and subsequently released to appear in court on September 4, 2024.

A/Insp Trevor Humphries

Operations Division

Medicine Hat Police Service
 

On August 3, 2024, police responded to an altercation in the area of Tower Estates in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Following an ongoing dispute between two males, several individuals arrived at a residence in the early hours and confronted a visitor there. The confrontation escalated, resulting in one of the males discharging a handgun and injuring the visitor with a gunshot wound. An investigation led to the arrest of two Medicine Hat residents. Kris Simons, 36, is charged with assault with a weapon, possession of controlled substances, and bail violations. Brent Heath, 36, faces charges of assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, unlawful possession of a firearm, and related firearms offenses. Both individuals remain in custody following judicial hearings.

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) is requesting anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact MHPS Major Crimes investigators at (403) 529-8481.

UPDATE

Police and emergency crews are clear of the scene and traffic is moving.

Emergency crews are currently on the scene of a non-injury motor vehicle collision on Trans Canada Way SE near the Medicine Hat Fire Service Station 2. Please obey directions of police and flag persons that are in the area and give us room to work.

 - Update - 

Emergency crews are clear of the motor vehicle collision and highway 3 has been re-opened.

Emergency crews are currently on the scene of a non-injury motor vehicle collision on Highway 3 at the intersection of South Boundary Road SW. There is significant traffic disruption because of the crash. The motoring public is requested to avoid the area. Any traffic entering the city  using highway 3 from the west, is requested to access the city via Township Road 120.   

Please obey directions of police and flag persons that are in the area.

Please give us room to work.

On Friday, August 2, 2024, the Alberta Serious Response Team (ASIRT) released the following information:

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was directed to investigate an officer-involved shooting in Medicine Hat on Saturday, July 27.

Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) received a 911 call from a civilian who indicated a gun was discharged by the occupant of a suite in an apartment building in the 200 block of 8 Street S.W.

Officers attended and were able to remove several occupants from the building.

While officers were standing by the front entrance of the building a gun was discharged from within the suite, which injured several of the attending officers.

Police immediately returned fire and retreated from the building.

Tactical members arrived and later removed an injured man from the suite.

He was transported to hospital with gunshot wounds. A firearm was recovered from within the apartment building.

Following an investigation by MHPS Major Crimes Unit, Cole Anthony Scory, 30, of Medicine Hat, AB has been charged with four counts of attempted murder with a firearm, assault with a weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm without a license, and other firearms-related offenses. The suspect remains in stable condition and is in custody. The involved police officers are recovering from their injuries.

 MHPS is asking anyone, who has not already been interviewed but who may have been in the area and may have witnessed these events, and/or may have video, to contact MHPS Major Crimes investigators at (403) 529 8481.

Given the ongoing nature of both the ASIRT and MHPS investigations no additional details will be provided.

In the early afternoon hours of Saturday, July 27, 2024, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to the 200 block of 8^th Street SW for a weapons complaint. 

As a result, a 30-year-old male as well as members of the Medicine Hat Police Service sustained injuries.  The male was ultimately arrested and transported to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for treatment. Several police officers were also treated at the Hospital for their injuries. 

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has been assigned to investigate the events and as such no additional information will be provided.

Charges have been laid in a recent drug trafficking investigation which focused on a known drug trafficker in Medicine Hat.

On July 18, 2024, ALERT Medicine Hat’s organized crime team, with help from the Medicine Hat Police Service, arrested Jacqueline Dopp. This marks the third time in the past year that the 46-year-old suspected drug dealer has been arrested by ALERT.

Dopp was arrested when a home in the South Ridge neighbourhood was searched for drugs. ALERT seized a variety of drugs, illicit prescription pills, cash, and prohibited weapons, including:

30 grams of cocaine;

1 gram of fentanyl;

5 grams of methamphetamine; and

14 grams of psilocybin.

“We recognize the impacts prolific drug traffickers can have on our city and neighbouring communities, especially when they continue to target our most vulnerable population. This investigation shows ALERT’s diligence in monitoring drug trafficking activity. We continue to follow criminal intelligence and work closely with the Medicine Hat Police Service to target repeat offenders,” said acting Staff Sgt. Curtis Neiman, ALERT Medicine Hat. 

Dopp has been charged four counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, as well as three counts of breaching court order.

Dopp was previously charged in October 2023 for offences relating to trafficking fentanyl. She was charged again in connection to a separate investigation in December 2023 for possession of methamphetamine, as well as breaching her release order.  She remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on July 30, 2024.

Cody Madore, 35-years old of Medicine Hat, is also facing several drug related charges in relation to the investigation.

In Medicine Hat, members of the public who suspect drug activity can contact MHPS by calling 403-529-8481 or submitting tips online (anonymously, if preferred) via the website at mhps.ca or the MHPS mobile app. The app is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

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