ARTICLES

Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Medicine Hat Police Service joins the rest of the country in celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada. We also join in the collective sorrow resulting from the discovery of children’s bodies found at former Residential School sites in BC and MB. We offer our deep and sincere condolences to residential school victims, survivors, their families and First Nation, Metis, and Inuit peoples of this land and reaffirm our commitment to building trust and a stronger relationship with our local Indigenous community in Medicine Hat.

We understand that Indigenous peoples across the country have spoken repeatedly and tirelessly about the atrocities they have experienced and have often been met with words and promises. We recognize that there is still a great deal of work to do to heal from the past.

Earlier this month we released our MHPS Indigenous Action Plan that outlined several initiatives that we intend to take to further develop our cultural competency and understanding. We recognize that doing so is an important first step and integral part of developing effective policies that will improve MHPS service delivery when meeting needs of the local Indigenous population.

On Wednesday, June 23, 2021, the first MHPS Chief’s Indigenous Advisory Council meeting will be held. The Council will be comprised of the Chief of Police, Chair of the Medicine Hat Police Commission, local Indigenous leaders, Métis Elders, as well as other MHPS staff. The committee will meet four times throughout the year, coinciding with the beginning of every new season, to connect and advise the police service on current issues relating to Indigenous and police relations within the community.

On Friday, June 25, 2021, at a ceremony held in Standoff, AB, the MHPS will receive the delivery of a sacred Eagle Feather, that will be offered as an option for swearing to official statements. The Eagle Feather is a symbol of spirituality used in many Indigenous traditions throughout North America. In the spirit of reconciliation, the MHPS has committed to using the eagle feather in the support of numerous calls to action recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The Eagle Feather will be offered as an option for providing an oath swearing by a traditional Indigenous form of conscience binding. This will be offered in addition to the swearing on a religious text or making a non-religious affirmation.

This evening we will join our community at a celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day at 6PM held at the Saamis Tepee. During the celebration an elder will bless orange memorial ribbons to be wore on the uniforms of our MHPS officers in support of survivors of residential schools and in remembrance of the children who died. Officers will wear these ribbons from June 21, 2021 until July 21, 2021.

We acknowledge these initiatives are first steps in a long road of recovery and are grateful for our local Indigenous partners for their support as we put words into action, through a community voice and vision to build our future relationships.

Media Contact:

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

A 34 -year-old Medicine Hat woman is in custody facing several charges including a weapons offence, after a standoff with members the Medicine Hat Police Service concluded safely.

On June 17^th, 2021, members of the MHPS attended to a residence located in the 900 block of Balmoral Street SE to conduct checks regarding compliance with release conditions and some concerns over the security of the residence. When officers attempted to speak with the subject of the investigation, she became resistant and made comments to officers about having a firearm and made threats to shoot police. The woman then retreated inside the residence and refused to exit.

After numerous attempts to negotiate with the woman failed, and following more threats being made, the MHPS Tactical Unit and was deployed. The TAC Unit continued negotiations for several hours before the woman was safely taken into custody.

The woman is currently held in custody awaiting a judicial intern release facing charges of; breach of release conditions x 3, utter threats, resist arrest, point firearm, possession of a weapon, and assault with a weapon.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Darcy Brandt
Major Crimes Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

On June 18, 2021 at approximately 8:00 AM the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a male, in the 600 block of 3 Street SE, who was observed striking vehicles and screaming at pedestrians in the area.

A male pedestrian was crossing the street when the suspect male came towards him and punched the pedestrian in the face knocking him to the ground. The suspect then continued towards the pedestrian underpass and came into contact with a second male victim. He struck this male several times, including hitting him in with a weapon, before exiting the tunnel onto North Railway Street.

While police were responding to the first call, another call reported that a second male had been assaulted and that a third male was driving on North Railway Street when he came upon the suspect in the middle of the road directing traffic. The male driver rolled down his window to ask directions at which time the suspect ran at him and punched him in the face. MHPS Patrol members located the suspect a block away and arrested him without incident.

The time that elapsed from the first call to the male being arrested and taken into police custody was approximately ten minutes. All victims are being treated at the hospital for their physical injuries sustained during the attack.

Resulting from this investigation, the suspect, who can not be named at this time, is held in custody awaiting a bail hearing and is facing numerous charges including; assault with a weapon, assault X2, and mischief.

Media Contact:

Sgt Jeff Wieschorster
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

The incident that occurred in the 900 block of Balmoral Street has now safely come to a conclusion.  More details will be released at a later time.  Thank you.

The Medicine Hat Police is currently dealing with a high profile incident and would ask that the public avoid the area of the 900 block of Balmoral Street SE. Additional information will be forthcoming. Thank you.

The Medicine Hat Police along with other emergency personnel are currently on the scene of a grass fire in the area of the 700 block of 3 Street NW.  Please avoid the area if possible.

We are clear of the collision at Maple Avenue and 1 St SE.  Traffic is now moving.  Thank you.

Police are dealing with a motor vehicle collision in the southbound lane of Maple Avenue bridge and 1 Street SE, as such we are asking motorists to avoid the area as we deal with the incident.

On June 10, 2021 at approximately 11:00 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to a report of threats involving a male in possession of a firearm, at a residence located on Northlands Lane NE.

As the threats involved a firearm, members of both the MHPS Patrol and Tactical Teams responded with the Armored Rescue Vehicle, which was used to enhance public and police safety. After approximately one hour, members of the MHPS Crisis Negotiation Team were successfully able to de-escalate the situation which resulted in the 37-year-old male being taken into custody without further incident.

The matter is still under investigation.

Media Contact:

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

On June 10, 2021 at approximately 10:35 AM the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to a bomb threat directed at the Medicine Hat Provincial Courthouse, located at 460 1 Street SE.

Police, Fire and EMS responded and the courthouse was evacuated as a precaution. Further investigation determined the threat was unfounded and the MHPS Major Crimes Section will continue the investigation into this matter.

Media Contact:

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