ARTICLES

On March 20, 2019 at approximately 8:00 am members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to the Medicine Hat College (MHC) for a report of an unknown male creating a disturbance. Upon arrival, police were met by MHC security staff who related that the male was acting erratically, disrupting students and was refusing to leave the premises.

Police located the male and attempted to arrest him for causing a disturbance. A short foot chase ensued when the male fled on foot into a classroom that was occupied by students and an instructor. The male continued to ignore police commands and was combative towards the pursuing officer causing the officer to deploy a burst of pepper spray on the suspect.  The male was then apprehended without further incident. No weapons were used or threatened by the male. No students or staff were physically injured during this event.

The adult male is currently held in custody awaiting a Judicial Interim Release hearing.

Media Contact

S/Sgt Fraser #279
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
PH: 403-529-8461

On March 16, 2019, the Medicine Hat Police Service received a report that an unknown male had been seen in the rear yard of a residence located in the 400 block of 12 NE, a couple time in the previous three days.  A kitchen knife with an approximate 12 inch blade was also located on the driveway of this residence that did not belong to the owner.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, mid 20’s, average build, with short dark hair, wearing dark clothing.

Police are asking residents in the area to contact police at 403-529-8481 if they observe someone suspicious in the area.

Media Contact:
S/Sgt Brian Christmann
Community Safety Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-581-1056

The Medicine Hat Police Service has received information that an organized, traveling criminal group may be in the Medicine Hat area.  The group will attempt to complete ‘distraction thefts’ to obtain valuables. The circumstances could include:

•  Targeting jewelry stores and second hand stores. A team of two would ask to see a piece of jewelry and use sleight of hand or distraction techniques to conceal the item, while another counts or shows a large amount of cash.

•  Targeting individuals in parking lots and on roadways. Offering to sell a high priced piece of jewelry for a fraction of the price due to being stranded and in need of gas money. The jewelry turns out to be fake gold and is worthless.

•  Targeting individuals in parking lots and using distraction to steal items such as purses, phones and other valuables.

If anyone has information, regarding these types of occurrences, please contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at, 403-529-8481 or by email at CIT@mhps.ca

Media Contact:

Sgt Paul Taylor
Community Intelligence Team
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-458-1850

Three people have been charged after ALERT seized over half a kilogram of methamphetamine and a loaded handgun. Arrests took place in Medicine Hat and Brooks.

ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team concluded a drug trafficking investigation on February 22, 2019, with the help of Medicine Hat Police Service and Brooks RCMP. Two separate traffic stops took place, which facilitated the arrests and seizures.

The value of the drug bust is estimated at $32,000, and evidence seized included:

• 521 grams of methamphetamine;
• a loaded handgun;
• brass knuckles; and
• $830 cash proceeds of crime.

“This investigation is a significant step in disrupting and dismantling organized crime in our community,” said Staff Sgt. Cory Both, ALERT Medicine Hat. “Preventing these drugs and weapons from hitting the streets of Medicine Hat goes a long way toward keeping our residents safe.”

The handgun was a Glock .40-calibre with the serial number filed off. Further ballistics testing and analysis will be completed to determine if the firearm was used in any other crimes.

Aron Horvath, a 37-year-old man, faces 11 criminal charges, including:

·  trafficking a controlled substance;

·  possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking;

·  possession of proceeds of crime; and

·  eight firearms-related offences.

James Benard, a 26-year-old man, is charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime, possession of a prohibited weapon, and breach of probation (x3).

Devon Koehle, a 19-year-old woman, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and breach of recognizance.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Members of Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

The Medicine Hat Police Service is requesting the assistance of the public regarding the investigation of the sexual interference that occurred on January 4^th, 2019 at the Medicine Hat Family Leisure Centre. Police are asking the public to help identify the two males in the attached surveillance stills. These males are believed to have personal knowledge regarding the sexual interference of the 11-year-old victim. The male pictured in the darker grey hoodie was also carrying a skateboard when leaving the building.

The suspect male involved is described as: a white male, 30-35 years old, about 6 feet tall, average build, short light brown hair, and groomed beard and moustache. The suspect also has a colorful tattoo located on the majority of his left bicep area.

If any member of the public was at the Family Leisure Centre on January 4^th, 2019 between 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm and may have captured any photographs or videos of the interior or exterior of the Family Leisure Center that may assist MHPS in identifying the suspect, please contact Sgt. Ernie Fischhofer of the Medicine Hat Police Service at (403) 529-8400 or Crimestoppers at (403) 527-8477.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Ernie Fischhofer
MHPS Major Crime
403-581-1059

The Medicine Hat Police Service's Administrative Support Team is looking for a skilled individual to join our team.  Reporting to the Manager of Information Technology, the Senior Systems Administrator will provide support and maintain all aspects of the MHPS network including; IP network, server network, operating systems, virtualization hypervisors, clustered storage, security layers and firewalls.

Our ideal candidate brings extensive knowledge of computer networks, network protocols, LAN/WAN/VPN technologies and database systems.  Working knowledge of common scripting and programming languages would be considered an asset.

Required qualifications:

• 2 year diploma in Computer Technology or related field from a recognized post secondary institution,
  
• 5 years of experience in a related technical / systems analyst position,
  
• and must pass full police security clearance, including polygraph examination.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume to the City of Medicine Hat Human Resources Dept. Competition # 18180A Mailing Address: Suite 101, 505 First Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0A9; fax 403-525-8870; email hr@medicinehat.ca.

This posting will remain open until Monday, September 24, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.  For more information click here.