ARTICLES

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

On June 5, 2021, twenty-two local Grade 6 students received scholarships from the Chief Earl Leadership Legacy Fund. The Fund was established in 2008 to celebrate Chief Earl’s contributions to the community and to honor his memory.

Each year, elementary schools identify students from within the local school districts who have demonstrated the qualities of future leaders based on the four core values of the Medicine Hat Police Service, with an additional focus on leadership and citizenship. Since its inception 187 students have been recognized.

The fund is administered through the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta with sponsorship from the Medicine Hat Safe Community Association and the Medicine Hat Police Association. Parents of the scholarship recipients are encouraged to place the awards into an existing or newly opened Registered Educational Savings Plan.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients:

Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education Recipients: (6)

• Mother Teresa School: Paisley Retzler
• St. Michael’s School: Kate Pagas
• St. Francis Xavier School: Berklyn Bohrn
• St. Louis School: Leigha Pancoast
• Ecole St John Paull II: Inara Merrick
• Notre Dame Academy: Ryleigh Jackiw

Charter/Private School Recipients: (2)

• Ecole Les Cypres: Isabella Ferguson
• CAPE School: Keelyn Pynnaken

Medicine Hat School District No. 76 Recipients: (14)

• Crestwood School: Mylee George
• Ross Glen School: Dominic Hennes
• Connaught School: Morgan Carvalho-Salmon
• Dr Roy Wilson Learning Centre: Dylan Nelson
• Webster Niblock School: Katelyn Sylyski
• Vincent Massey School: Avonley Moore
• River Heights School: Maryn Bennett Bowal
• Herald School: Dainen Johnston
• George Davison School: Claire Colbe
• Elm Street School: Dahlia Green
• Dr Ken Sauer: Keelyn Malbeuf
• Southview School: Larry Joe
• Medicine Hat Christian School: Brody Kurpjuweit
• Hub: Megan Klein

Media Contact:

Sgt Adam Gregory
Community Support Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8451

The Medicine Hat Police Service is aware of concerns circulating on social media regarding a suspicious group of people reported in and around the Ross Glen area of Medicine Hat.

On June 5, 2021 an initial report was received by police and the investigation determined that the individuals in question were canvassing door-to-door for a home security company based in Calgary, AB. The company was contacted and confirmed to have 14 individuals in the area conducting this work. The MHPS is currently working with City of Medicine Hat Planning and Development Services to ensure that the company is compliant with proper business licensing requirements.

As a general reminder, when interacting with door-to-door salespeople, always ask to see identification if it is not readily visible. Never allow a door-to-door sales person into your home or office who does not have, or refuses to show you their identification. You are never under any obligation to allow a salesperson into your home.

Anyone with concerns about the conduct of door-to-door salespeople, can report those concerns to the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or by contacting the Service Alberta’s Consumer Contact Centre at 1-877-427-4088 (toll-free in Alberta) or visit their website at www.servicealberta.ca.

To alleviate community concerns, the MHPS will have extra patrols in this area and remind residents to report any suspicious behaviour by calling 9-1-1 in an emergency or 403-529-8481 for non-emergencies.

Media Contact:

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

The intersection of Kipling Street and Kingsway Ave SE is now open.  Thank you for your patience.

Traffic Advisory: Police are dealing with a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Kipling Street and Kingsway Avenue SE, as such this intersection is shut down as we deal with the incident.  Please avoid this area and find another route.  

The Medicine Hat Police Service Victim Assistance Unit is seeking volunteers for the following activities:

Crisis Support - Offer emotional and practical support through post-incident follow up including referrals to community agencies.

In-Station Client Support - Provide court updates, information about justice programs and assistance with victims of crime forms.

Court Support - Provide court preparation, orientation and support for witnesses during trials, and update witnesses on court decisions and outcomes.

If you are interested in effecting positive change in the lives of others and would like more information about the required commitment and availability click HERE. 

Click HERE to apply. Applications close June 11th, 2021.

Thank you in advance for your interest!

The Medicine Hat Police Service is pleased to release its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan.

The foundation of the plan is the belief that a diverse and inclusive organization will be stronger, more resilient and responsive to the needs of the community. The plan was developed in consultation with the Medicine Hat Police Commission, based upon input from police service staff and community stakeholder groups. It builds upon the previous MHPS Diversity & Inclusion Plan released to the community in 2017 and reports on activities and training completed to date.

Recognizing that the paradigm shift from “cultural fit” to one of “diversity and inclusion” will require more than well-intentioned policies and programs, the MHPS through this plan commits to clearly defined objectives, actions and deliverables centered around two main themes:

Police Service Delivery: External focus on providing accessible, responsive and responsible policing services to all people in the community.

People and Process: Internal focus on ensuring equitable employment opportunities are available to all employees in an environment that is respectful and free of harassment and discrimination, and that organizational processes and policies represent and support the EDI strategy.

There are currently four public facing and eight internally facing initiatives with action items to be completed over the next two years, the period of time left in current business cycle (2021 -2022). The EDI plan is supplemented by an Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan that provides more specific details in relations to how the MHPS intends to action the calls to police services as identified in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls report.

“This action plan is the culmination of past work and recent efforts to understand and put to action deliverables that I believe will increase the inclusiveness of the organization,” says MHPS Chief Mike Worden. “These efforts will improve our ability to provide service excellence to the community, and I commit to leading this plan.”

Both EDI and Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plans are available for review on the MHPS website at mhps.ca. They are intended to be living documents with the website updated as work is completed or new initiatives are identified.

Media Contact:

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

The Medicine Hat Police Service in partnership with the Medicine Hat Police Commission is proud to present the 2020 Medicine Hat Police Service Annual Report.

The report includes a review of operational highlights and identifies how the health pandemic impacted police service activities, as well as features key accomplishments in relation to the five strategic priorities of; community safety, community engagement, service delivery, organizational wellness and human resources.

The report also celebrates awards such as; Cst. Taylor Olenic being named as Blue Line Magazine’s inaugural Rookie of the Year, recognizes individuals and teams who received Inspectors compliments throughout the year and pays tribute to Chief Andy McGrogan who retired in December after serving the community for over 40 years.

To view the entire report, visit the MHPS website at: https://mhps.ca/uploads/files/Police_AR_2020_Final_Web.pdf

For more information contact:

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