ARTICLES

On June 5th at about 1:40 pm, a 40 year-old male caused a disturbance at the Medicine Hat Walmart. The suspect damaged food products and other merchandise, then left the store.

Once outside, in the parking lot, the male proceeded to kick several vehicles damaging at least one of them.

Police would like to speak to any vehicle owners that may have had damage as a result of this incident.

Currently, the suspect is in custody and will be charged with the following: Mischief under $5000 (x2)

If you witnessed the incident, or had damage as a result, please contact Sgt. KESLER via email at stacey.kesler@mhps.ca or via phone at 403.529.8481

On June 5^th shortly after 4:00 pm the Medicine Hat Police Service along with other emergency personnel responded to a report of a single vehicle rollover at the intersection of Woodman Ave SE and 5 Street SE.  The investigation has revealed that a Ford pickup truck was traveling northbound on Woodman Ave SE and failed to stop for a stop sign.  The pickup then collided with a Dodge Charger, causing the pickup to roll, coming to a rest on another parked vehicle. 

The driver of the Ford pickup as well as the driver from the Charger sustained minor injuries and were transported to the Medicine Hat Hospital for assessment.

The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

The Medicine Hat Police would ask that motorists and members of the public avoid the area of Woodman Ave SE and 5 Street SE as officers are currently investigating a motor vehicle collision.  Additional information to follow.

June 2, 2020 – Dangerous Driving

On June 1, 2020 at approximately 7:30 PM a Ford F350 was travelling North on 11^th Avenue NE in the 2300 hundred block at a high rate of speed. The vehicle sideswiped a parked vehicle and then crashed into a wooden power pole, narrowly missing two children who were walking in the area.

1. 39-year-old male was located by members of the Medicine Hat Police Service at the scene. The male was arrested and charged with dangerous driving, issued a 24-hour driving suspension and several traffic safety acts violations.

Impaired driving continues to be a major contributing factor in fatal and serious injuries in Alberta. On average, 6,000 people were convicted of impaired driving in Alberta each year for the last five years. And from 2008-2016, 574 people died and nearly 8,000 people were injured as a result of alcohol- or drug-impaired driving.

Impaired Driving Laws:

• Having a BAC of 0.08 or over within two hours of driving is a criminal offence.

• In Alberta, and in most other Canadian jurisdictions, a driver with a BAC between 0.05 and 0.079 may face provincial consequences through the Immediate Roadside Suspension Program.

• Cannabis limits are measured using nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in blood.

• There are criminal penalties for cannabis when a driver has over 2 ng/ml but less that 5ng/ml of THC in blood and when a driver has 5 ng/ml or more THC in blood.

• There are also criminal penalties for combined drug and alcohol impairment when a driver has 2.5 ng/ml or more THC combined with 50 mg/100ml or more alcohol in their blood.

To report an impaired driver, call 9-1-1.

Media Contact:

Staff Sergeant Thompson
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service

Ph: 403-529-8461

I have served the citizens of Medicine Hat as a police officer for forty years and throughout my career I have always tried to serve with the core values of; integrity, respect, accountability and courage at the centre of my service.

In reflection of the recent tragic events that have occurred in the USA, I am reminded of the precious yet fragile relationship we have with those who entrust us to keep them safe. Sir Robert Peel’s nine principles of policing are a cornerstone and compass to our duties as police officers in a free civilian society. I am reminded of the seventh principle that “Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.”

At the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) we have strong; policy, procedure, training, supervision and accountability measures in place. I have always felt that if you hire the right people, train them the right way, encourage adherence to core values and hold people to account, we establish the right culture. The men and women of the MHPS are fully engaged and entrenched within our community. Our members are; coaches, board members, volunteers, fathers, mothers, and neighbours. They are proud to serve this community as their own.

Just this morning I swore in seven new recruits whose progress I have been monitoring over the past several months throughout their training, and I am confident that our future is in very good hands. While I have unfortunately observed a few “bad apples” come and go through my time with this Service, I can tell you that now, due to our focused recruitment efforts, we have excellent officers that are service-minded and committed to keeping all members of our community safe.

It is my pledge that the MHPS will continue to work with our community, to grow and learn from our shared experiences, in an effort to improve on how we can serve and be accountable to all of you who entrust us to help keep you safe.

Andy McGrogan
Chief of Police

As you undertake your spring cleanup projects, the Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section of the Medicine Hat Police Service and Cypress County are reminding residents to cover loads being transported throughout the city and county, specifically during trips to the landfill.

The cleanliness of our roadways is not only an environmental issue, but also a safety factor. Therefore, it is important not only to understand the rules, but comply and encourage others to do the same.

The City of Medicine Hat Waste Bylaw # 1805 states;

“No person shall convey through the highways any garbage, or offal from butcher shops or slaughter houses, or any waste or organic matter whatever except in properly covered receptacles or otherwise in vehicles which are covered or otherwise constrained so as to prevent the contents of any of them from falling on the highways”

A person who fails to comply with section 8 of the waste bylaw could receive a fine of $100.

In addition, Alberta law requires all vehicles on a highway to have loads adequately secured. For the purpose of this message we are highlighting section 65 of the Vehicle Equipment Regulations (VER) of the Traffic Safety Act, which states:

65(1) A person shall not use a vehicle to transport goods unless,

1. The vehicle is constructed to carry the goods, and
2. There is equipment on the vehicle or attached to the vehicle that is capable of securing the goods to ensure that the vehicle can be operated safely when loaded and without danger of

turning over the vehicle, or the load shifting swaying, blowing off, falling off, leaking or otherwise escaping.

A fine for a violation under S. 65 of the VER is $465

Before you start driving, ensure that you:

• Cover sand, gravel, and dirt with a tarp and keep it at least 75 millimeters below the top of your vehicle’s box or container
• Place light objects lower in the container instead of at the top of your load
• Use a rope, bungee cords, nets, or straps to tie tarps and other objects down
• Tie large items, like mattresses and construction equipment, directly to your vehicle
• Put loose items, like garbage and yard waste, in a covered container so that it is easier to secure
• Attach a flag to any items that extend beyond the back of your vehicle

To report bylaw violations within the City of Medicine Hat call 403-529-8481. If you have questions related to this or any other bylaw enforcement issue please call the information line 403-529-8400.

To report violations within Cypress County contact the County office at 403-526-2888 or the Redcliff RCMP at 403 548 2288.

Media Contact:

Heather Trail
Supervisor of Municipal Bylaw Enforcement
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8436

Or

Anna Mast
Peace Officer
Cypress County
Ph: 403-526-2888

In early May, the Medicine Hat ALERT Organized Crime Section entered into an investigation with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) relating to a local male suspected of importing prohibited weapons and devices.

On May 7, 2020, CBSA officers at the Vancouver International Mail Centre intercepted a package sent from China that was found to contain a firearm silencer destined for a residence in Medicine Hat. The seizure was transferred to the CBSA Criminal Investigations Section in Calgary and then referred it to the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) for further investigation. The CBSA is continuing its investigation related to firearms smuggling offences.

On May 28, 2020, members of the ALERT team attempted to conclude the investigation by executing a criminal code search warrant at a residence on Ross Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB. When police attempted to arrest the male the accused barricaded himself in his residence and refused to exit. During the standoff the accused male physically assaulted an officer and as a result he was struck in the leg with a police impact projectile.

MHPS Crisis Negotiator Team members negotiated with the male and the stand off ended with the accused surrendering to the MHPS Tactical Arrest and Control Team members on scene. A search of the residence resulted in the recovery of $4,700 USD counterfeit money and several prohibited weapons including;

• A silencer for a firearm
• A conducted energy weapon
• A set of nunchucks
• Throwing stars
• A switch blade knife
• Pepper Spray

The male, who can not be identified at this time, remains in police custody awaiting a judicial interim release hearing on the following charges:

• Possess prohibited weapon/device (x6)
• Possession of counterfeit currency
• Assault & resist a Peace Officer

The MHPS would like to thank the CBSA for their support with this investigation, which resulted in the removal of these dangerous weapons from our community.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Kelsey Fraser
Organized Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
PhL 403-529-8425

Mylene Estrada-del Rosario
Communications Advisor, Western Canada
Conseillère en communications, Ouest canadien
Ph: 403-389-4519

The graduation ceremonies of the 2020 Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), Blood Tribe Police Service (BTPS) and Taber Police Service (TPS) Cadet Training program took place on Friday, May 29^th, 2020. Due to COVID-19 health restrictions the ceremony was closed to members of the public and media.

Twelve cadets graduated from the 20-week training program, including one TPS, four BTPS and seven MHPS cadets, who met or exceeded provincial standards in the areas of police recruit training. The cadets also received academic accreditation through Lethbridge College (LC) for the knowledge and skills they acquired through this competency-based educational program.

The training program is the result of a collaborative partnership between the MHPS, BTPS, TPS, Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) and LC. While a traditional classroom environment played an important role, much of the learning and assessment took place in real-life settings throughout the community. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, adjustments to program delivery allowed learning to continue seamlessly in a virtual environment to ensure the safety of the cadets and instructors.

“The strength of the partnership between the college and the Medicine Hat, Blood Tribe and Taber Police Services allowed us to be adaptable and flexible, despite the unique challenges COVID-19 presented,” says Dr. Jeanine Webber, Dean of Lethbridge College’s Centre for Justice and Human Services. “We were able to facilitate an exceptional blended educational and training experience for the cadets. We are honoured to assist our police partners with preparing cadets for their policing careers and congratulate the cadets on their graduation.”

“Three police services working with the LC adds such a rich and diverse experience for our cadets” says MHPS Chief Andy McGrogan. “This training has been a tremendous growth and learning opportunity for both the cadets and our entire organization.”

“This is the third year that the BTPS has been involved in this training program and we are very proud of the cadets and our continued partnerships with southern Alberta police services and LC” says BTPS Chief Kyle Melting Tallow. “Even through this difficult time of the pandemic, everyone involved came together to ensure that this program remained successful.”

“We are fortunate to have this partnership where an innovative police recruit curriculum and first class instruction has been deployed within this police academy model. Together we can achieve greatness in public safety, and this is simply another excellent example of how we do things right in southern Alberta. I would like to thank the MHPS for its leadership and support to our organization in this regard, and LC for their commitment to police training and the development of our new officers”, says TPS Chief Dr. Graham Abela.

Following graduation the cadets will return to their communities to join their respective agencies and begin their policing careers.

Media inquiries:

Paul Kingsmith
Senior Communications Specialist, Lethbridge College
Cell: 587-220-0750
Email: paul.kingsmith@lethbridgecollege.ca

Rita Sittler
Administrative Services Manager, Medicine Hat Police Service
Office: 403-529-8416
Email: rita.sittler@mhps.ca

Farica Prince
Inspector, Blood Tribe Police Service
Office 403-737-8800
Email: farica.prince@bloodtribepolice.com

Dr. Graham Abela
Chief of Police, Taber Police Service
Office: 403-223-8991
Email: gabela@taberpolice.ca

On 28 May 2020, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service ALERT Organized Crime Section attempted to execute a criminal code search warrant of a residence on Ross Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB relating to the importation and possession of a prohibited weapon.

When police attempted to arrest the male on these charges and to execute a search warrant, the accused barricaded himself in his residence and refused to exit. During the standoff the accused male assaulted an officer and as a result of this attack he struck in the leg with a police impact weapon.

MHPS Crisis Negotiator Team members negotiated with the male and the stand off ended with the accused surrendering to the MHPS Tactical Arrest and Control Team members on scene.

Several prohibited weapons were seized and charges are pending as the investigation continues. Additional information will be released in the following days.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Jason Graham
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph; 403-529-8461

The event that occurred in the 900 block of Ross Street SE has successfully come to a conclusion.  The Medicine Hat Police Service would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation during this time.  Further comments will be provided shortly.