ARTICLES

November 11, 2021 – High Risk Incident

At approximately 0200 a.m. members of the MHPS were called to a high-risk violent incident in the 300 block of 7^th St SW. Members of the Major Crimes Section are currently on scene investigating the events that transpired. At this time, there is no risk to the public as it is believed this was an isolated incident. Due to the nature of the event, the MHPS has closed the road in the 300 block of 7th St SW, while the investigation continues. The public is requested to avoid this area.

No further information will be released until more information is available.

A 53-year-old Medicine Hat man has been charged with murder following the death of his domestic partner.

On October 25th, 2021, at approximately 5:45 PM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) attended to a residence in the zero hundred block of 3rd Street SE after receiving a 9-1-1 call. Upon arrival police and EMS personnel located a deceased 53-year-old female and a male was arrested and held in custody.

The MHPS Major Crimes Section and Forensic Identification Unit continued the investigation which led to Timothy Faulkner, 53 years old, of Medicine Hat, Alberta being charged with Second Degree Murder. A Judicial Interim Release Bail Hearing was held, and Faulkner was subsequently remanded into custody and scheduled to appear in court on October 27, 2021.

While the investigation is ongoing, there is no further risk to the community.

Our condolences are extended to the family of the victim, and support is being provided by the MHPS Victims Assistance Unit. The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.

Anyone with information that could aid the investigation is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or submit a tip via the website (mhps.ca) or mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society (MHWSS) is available to support individuals and families experiencing domestic/family violence. To access resources, contact the 24-Hour Help Line by calling 403-529-1091 or Toll Free: 1-800-661-7949. Workers can provide; help and support, safety planning, information and referrals, intake into the emergency shelter or intake for other programs provided at MHWSS. All calls are completely confidential.

Media Contact:

Insp. Brent Secondiak
Support Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

On October 25th, 2021, at approximately 5:45 PM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) attended to a residence in the zero hundred block of 3^rd Street SE after receiving a 9-1-1 call.

Upon arrival police officers located a deceased adult female and an adult male was taken into custody. The MHPS Major Crimes Section and Forensic Identification Unit continue to investigate.

There is no ongoing risk to the community at this time. Further details will be released when available.

Media Contact:

Insp. Brent Secondiak
Support Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: (403) 529-8416

UPDATE.  The Medicine Hat Police Service, is happy to report that the high risk, youth missing persons, reported missing on Oct 16, has been located.  The female youth is unharmed and was located by a member of the public after identifying her from the media release.   The MHPS would like to thank SouthEast Alberta Search and Rescue as well as the community who aided in the search for the female youth.   

The Medicine Hat ALERT Regional Property Crime Unit has recovered a quantity of small tools and camping items, stolen from stored camping trailers in the South West area of the city over the last four weeks. If you have been the victim of such a crime in that area and can identify missing property, please contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at (403) 529-8481 and ask to speak to a member of the RPCU.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Darren Lole
Regional Property Crime Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

The investigation into the sudden death that occurred in the 1700 block of 17^th Street SE on October 6, 2021 is ongoing, in conjunction with the Medical Examiner’s Office, however there is no indication that this is a criminal matter and there is no risk to the safety of the public.

No further information about the investigation or the identity of the person will be released.

Our condolences are extended to the family & friends of the deceased.

Today, September 30, 2021, marks Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Establishing this new statutory holiday was recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action ( see #80) and is intended to be a day to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

This day provides an opportunity to reflect on how we can advance our reconciliation efforts to build a better future for everyone in our community.

At the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) we are committed to building meaningful partnerships with our local Indigenous community and finding ways to include Indigenous worldviews in our daily practices and policies. Some important first steps we have taken this year include, adopting the Eagle Feather, creating an Indigenous Liaison Officer position, and establishing an Indigenous Advisory Committee. To date we have held two committee meetings and have found tremendous value in the conversations. We hope to continue our learning and grow our understanding through the development of these important relationships.

Tonight, at Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park the Miywasin Friendship Centre will be hosting an event that will include prayers from Elder Charlie Fox of the Kainai First Nations, an honouring ceremony for residential school survivors, Buffalo Calf singers from the Nekaneet First Nations and Miywasin singers. For the safety of everyone in attendance participants are encouraged to wear a mask and social distance. 

Today our MHPS Patrol Teams will be wearing orange ribbons on their duty uniform and the exterior lights of the MHPS building will glow orange tonight in recognition.

Media Contact:

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

On September 29, 2021, at approximately 3:12 pm a Chevrolet Traverse was travelling north in front of 4000 13 Avenue SE. At an approaching crosswalk, southbound motorists were stopped for pedestrians and cyclists who were crossing the road. The Chevrolet Traverse did not stop, and struck a young male cyclist. The female driver was uninjured in the collision. The male cyclist was taken to hospital with undetermined injuries.

Total damage to the vehicle and bicycle is in excess of $10,000.

The MHPS Traffic Unit continues to investigate the collision and thanks all witnesses that provided information in regard to this incident.

Please drive safely and be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists crossing roadways.

Media Contact:

A/Sgt Darren Holeha
Traffic Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8481

During the early morning hours of September 24, 2021 members of Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Patrol Section were on patrol in the area of Gershaw Drive SW, when they observed a male underneath a vehicle.

Police attempted to speak with the male however as officers approached the male he attempted to leave the area on foot. Police were able to take the male into custody soon after without incident and the initial investigation revealed that he was attempting to steal catalytic converters.

As a result, a 43-year-old male from Hamilton, Ontario has been taken into custody for possession of break in instruments, and mischief under $5000. The male is currently held in custody awaiting a judicial interim release. Police have also located a large amount of stolen property, believed to be from across Canada and will be following up with additional charges and attempting to locate the owners of this equipment.

There has been an upward trend in thefts of catalytic converters both locally and across the province over the past couple of years, as they contain precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Thieves will often remove the catalytic converter by accessing it from underneath vehicles.

In 2020, the province of Alberta recognized the prevalence of this issue with the introduction of Bill 25, Protecting Alberta Industry from Theft, which resulted in amendments to the Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act. The act created new regulations setting out standards for the scrap metal industry. The new regulations determine what information is collected by recyclers and is available to police. It also requires all recyclers to standardize how they report the sale of scrap metals.

If you have information about a similar offence, please contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or submit a tip via the website (mhps.ca) or mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Ryan Thorburn
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

On September 25, 2021 at 11:08 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Patrol Section and Major Crimes Section responded to a report of a deceased person located in the area of 580 1st Street SE.

An investigation in conjunction with the Medical Examiner’s Office is ongoing, however there is no indication that this is a criminal matter and there is no risk to the safety of the public.

No further information about the investigation or the identity of the person will be released.

Our condolences are extended to the family & friends of the deceased.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Darcy Brandt
Major Crimes Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416