ARTICLES

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada, a month-long crime prevention initiative aimed at educating and informing consumers and the community on how to recognize, report, and stop fraud. Throughout the month, the Medicine Hat Police Service Community Support Unit will be sharing information on how to recognize and prevent citizens from becoming victims of common frauds and scams. This week’s focus is on online frauds.

Online frauds remain very prevalent as we continue to expand the ways we communicate on the internet. When we are not communicating face-to-face, it often makes it more difficult to determine if we are being targeted by a scam.

Romance scams, as spoken about in week 1, prey on people longing for friendship and relationships.  They will often convince the victim to send money for any reason that will be accepted by the victim. 

Online marketplace scams take advantage of unknowing internet shoppers.  Scammers will post a photo of an item (that may or may not exist) for sale.  They will request partial or full payment for the item prior to arranging a meeting with the buyer.  They buyer will show up at the meeting place and the suspects are nowhere to be seen, and the advertisements are quickly removed.

Lottery/Prize scams are another type of fraud often found online.  Scammers will send mass emails advising the recipient that they have won a cash prize or an item of significant value.  They will request credit card or banking information to deposit the funds, or they may request a cash deposit, wire transfer, or e-transfer in order to hold the prize for the victim.  Once they receive banking or credit card information, they will attempt to withdraw funds from the accounts.  The prize is never sent to the victim, and the money sent to the suspects is frequently not traceable.

In some cases, scammers will contact victims advising them of an issue with their computer files or computer accounts stating that they are a technology repair company.  They may convince the victim to allow them to remotely access their computer or device.  Once they gain access the suspects will attempt to retrieve banking information and passwords which are then used to withdraw money from the victim’s accounts.

In general, no legitimate company will request someone to send money, gift card codes, or deposit into crypto currencies.  The sad truth is that many of the scammers are across borders and once the money is e-transferred, money ordered, provided through gift card codes, or deposited into a crypto currency account, it is gone for good and extremely difficult to investigate and hold anyone accountable.  Beware of communication from any company that you have not previously been a customer, especially if it is not a local business that you are familiar with.  It is recommended that you conduct research on a company prior to hiring them.  The Better Business Bureau is a great resource, as well as word-of-mouth recommendations from trusted friends or family.

Communicate with people you trust if you think you may be involved in some type of scam, know that you can’t win anything you don’t apply to win, and remember that when things appear to good to be true, they likely are.

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

On Monday, March 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM the MHPS Traffic Unit will be conducting an over-dimensional load escort involving two loads.  The over-dimensional load escort will be travelling on Highway #1 from the Dunmore truck scales to the east Medicine Hat limits, through the Southwest industrial area to the west limits of Redcliff Alberta.

Due to the size of the loads, the over-dimensional load escort will be required to counter-flow on highway #1. This will affect traffic along Highway #1 in both the east and westbound lanes, along with parts of Bomfort Cres SW, Redcliff Dr SW and Gershaw Dr SW.  The escort is expected to take approximately one hour to complete so please plan your commute accordingly. 

MHPS appreciates the motoring public's cooperation during these escorts and reminds motorists to obey all police officer, pilot vehicle and flag person's directions.

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada, a month-long crime prevention initiative aimed at educating and informing consumers and the community on how to recognize, report, and stop fraud. Throughout the month, the Medicine Hat Police Service Community Support Unit will be sharing information on how to recognize and prevent citizens from becoming victims of common frauds and scams. This week’s focus is on mass marketing and phone scams.

Mass marketing and phone scams are currently one of the most common frauds.  Ultimately, the fraudster wants to obtain your personal information or be provided money from you in any method.  The difficulty in these types of frauds is that the targets believe they are dealing with a real company or someone they trust.  The fraudsters sound very convincing and work hard to manipulate the people they call.

Whether is it by phone or by email, if you are not certain you are talking to someone legitimate, end the conversation and contact the business directly to confirm.  Often fraudsters will use phone numbers that are “spoofed”, or copied, to look legitimate, or emails that look real but are not. A company will usually use its own name in the email address as a contact as opposed to an email ending in Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo.  These are easy things to confirm when you contact the businesses directly yourself.

One type of phone scam is an emergency scam or grandparent scam.  The scammer contacts a person posing as their relative and they sound scared and quiet.  They will call the victim by a generic name or title such as “Grandma” or “Grandpa”.  When the victim calls them by the name of their grandchild, they will make up a story that they have been arrested for a crime, they are being held somewhere and need bail or money to pay a fine or legal fees. They will often request that the money is wire transferred to a certain place, and they cannot tell their parents. Remember to always check with your family members to determine if an emergency call is legitimate before transferring money. Slow down any timelines and do your own research about the legitimacy of these types of calls.

Another common scam involves people posing as professionals from the Canada Revenue Agency, Canada Border Services Agency, Microsoft or computer technical support, or government officials in hopes to gather personal information or have money sent to them.  They may request e-transfers, gift card codes, crypto currency, or credit card information.  Remember, no legitimate company or government agency will request gift cards codes or crypto currency as payment.

Always call the company/agency back at their phone number that you have researched and confirm if the situation is real.

In general, a good financially responsible rule is to always ask questions before transferring or investing.  A professional will have no problem answering your questions, showing credentials, and providing references to prove they are legitimate.

Media Contact:

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

In September 2024, a local Medicine Hat business owner reported to the Medicine Hat Police Service that he had received a phone call that prompted him to leave his home to go check on a business property. Once the victim was outside his home and in his vehicle, a male using a mask approached him and pointed a firearm at the driver's window. Reacting swiftly, the victim managed to escape and promptly dialed 911.

Following an extensive investigation, which involved multiple judicial authorizations, Daniel Vander Meulen, age 47, from Redcliff, AB, has been charged with attempted robbery, assault with a weapon, use of an imitation firearm, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace. The investigation established that the victim was known to Vander Meulen and this was a targeted rather than a random incident with an intent was to rob the business owner.

Vander Meulen is scheduled to appear in court on April 16, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Medicine Hat.

Media Contact:
Acting S/Sgt Darren Lole
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-581-1061

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) wants you to become a member of our team! We have an exciting opportunity for you to join a dedicated group of police professionals, serving and protecting our community with pride. As a member of the MHPS you will be part of a progressive, thriving organization, and in Medicine Hat you will find an exceptionally high quality of life with a comparatively low cost of living.

The MHPS is currently seeking applicants for the position of police constable. Applicants selected from this process will be hired as police recruits and commence 24 weeks of police recruit training at the MHPS starting in early 2025.

The Police Recruit Training Program is accredited by Lethbridge College (LC) and follows standards set forth by the Alberta Justice & Solicitor General’s office. Upon successful completion of the training, Lethbridge College (LC) will award graduates of the training with a Credential of Academic Achievement in Police Recruit Training, documented by an official parchment and transcript.

If you are ready for an exciting and rewarding career in law enforcement, in one of the most beautiful cities in Canada, apply today!  For more information on the Medicine Hat advantage and why you should chose a career with the MHPS click here.  For more information on the required qualifications and to submit your application click here.

Application deadline is June 1, 2024.

If you have any additional questions, contact a member of the MHPS Recruitment Team by email at recruiting@mhps.ca

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Cory Both
Recruitment Team
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-581-1056

Eight police recruits will begin training in Medicine Hat this week as the result of a collaborative partnership between the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), Blood Tribe Police Service (BTPS) and Lethbridge College. This is the fifth time since 2016 that the college’s Police Training program has been hosted by the MHPS.

“The MHPS is excited to once again host the police training program,” said MHPS Chief Al Murphy. “Upon graduation the successful officers will fill existing staff vacancies and compliment the officers who currently serve and protect our community.”

The class is comprised of four MHPS recruits and four recruits from the BTPS who will participate in a 24-week training program that will provide participants with crucial skills and knowledge such as de-escalation, interpersonal problem solving, professionalism, adaptability, community service, firearms, public safety, organizational awareness, teamwork, report writing and investigative techniques. Those who graduate from the competency- based program will earn academic credentials that meet the Alberta Provincial Policing Standards.

“Lethbridge College’s Police Training program is a unique offering that partners regional police services with our institution,” said Trudi Mason, dean, Centre for Justice, and Human Services. “We value our ongoing partnership with the MHPS and look forward to providing recruits with relevant training that meets the needs of the agency and the communities they will serve.”

Media Contact:

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

Tina Karst
Media Relations Specialist
Lethbridge College
Ph: 403-320-3203 ext. 5267
Email: tina.karst@lethbridgecollege.ca

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) wants you to become a member of our team! We have an exciting opportunity for you to join a dedicated group of police professionals, serving and protecting our community with pride. As a member of the MHPS you will be part of a progressive, thriving organization, and in Medicine Hat you will find an exceptionally high quality of life with a comparatively low cost of living.

The MHPS is currently seeking applicants for the position of police constable. Applicants selected from this process will be sworn in as police cadets and commence 20 weeks of police recruit training at the MHPS starting in early 2024.

The Police Officer Cadet Training Program is accredited by Lethbridge College (LC) and follows standards set forth by the Alberta Justice & Solicitor General’s office. Upon successful completion of the training, LC will award graduates of the training with a Credential of Academic Achievement in Police Recruit Training, documented by an official parchment and transcript. Additionally, some cadets will be selected for immediate employment as a police constable with the MHPS, while the remaining cadets will be shortlisted for consideration, should additional vacancies arise over the following year.

If you are ready for an exciting and rewarding career in law enforcement, in one of the most beautiful cities in Canada visit mhps.ca for more information about the MHPS and this exciting opportunity.

If you want to learn more, members of the MHPS Recruitment Team will be hosting an information session on March 15, 2023, at 7 PM in the MHPS Community Boardroom. Members of the Recruitment Team will be available to answer questions related to the required qualifications and standards as well as the application process. Additionally, a virtual information session will be held on March 20, 2023, at 7 PM. Email Recruiting@mhps.ca to register for either session.

Application deadline is June 1, 2023.

Media Contact:

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

In an effort to remain transparent to our community, the Medicine Hat Police Service would like to provide the public with a clear understanding of any disciplinary hearings that take place within our Service.

Professional Conduct Hearings are held, for a variety of misconduct allegations, under the Police Act and the Police Service Regulation of Alberta. The different kinds of misconduct allegations are described in Section 5 of the Police Service Regulation.

Generally speaking, if a misconduct charge is directed by the Chief to a hearing, there are many different types of appearances that could be scheduled, such as a first appearance, plea, preliminary applications, or reasons for decision.

Not all matters will progress in the same manner. For example, evidence may be presented as an agreed statement of facts in one hearing, but in another, witnesses may have to be called to testify. Sometimes a decision may be given at the end of the presentation of evidence, or the reasons for a decision may be set over to another date. 

Unless otherwise Ordered, Professional Conduct Hearings are open to the public and media. If you wish to attend, please note that no food or drink is allowed in the hearing room. Recording devices and cameras also are not permitted. All hearings are held in the Community Boardroom of the Medicine Hat Police Service building, located at 884 – 2 St SE, unless otherwise posted.

Upcoming Hearings:

There are no hearing scheduled at this time.

*Please note that the above information is subject to change.

On March 28, 2025, the Medicine Hat Police Service received a report related to the “fake gold scam.”

In this incident, individuals approached a citizen in retail storeparking lot, claiming to be in distress and in need of money. They stated their debit cards were not working and offered gold jewelry in exchange for cash. The jewelry was presented as being of significant value but is believed to be counterfeit.

The suspects were last seen driving a dark grey 2022–2023 Volvo SUV with Alberta rental or dealer licence plates. The vehicle was reportedly heading out of Medicine Hat on Township Road 120 in Cypress County.

Suspect Descriptions:

Suspect 1:

• Male, approximately 55 years old
• Arab/Middle Eastern descent
• Wearing a suit

• Suspect 2:

• Female, in her 30s
• Arab/Middle Eastern descent
• Wearing a dress

• Suspect 3:

• Male, approximately 30 years old
• Arab/Middle Eastern descent

The Medicine Hat Police Service reminds the public to be cautious of individuals offering high-value items in exchange for cash under urgent or suspicious circumstances. 

On March 26, 2025, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to information regarding drug trafficking in the downtown area.

A vehicle suspected of being involved was identified, and MHPS Patrol and Criminal Investigation Section officers conducted a traffic stop. This led to the arrest of a man and a woman from Medicine Hat.

During the investigation, officers seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, prescription pills, a bladed weapon, and Canadian currency from both individuals and the vehicle. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is $8,000.

As a result of the investigation, Denai Lanz (42-years-old), and Mark Davis (46-years-old), both from Medicine Hat, AB, have been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance, possession of proceeds of crime, and failure to comply with release order conditions. Additionally, Davis was charged with failing to comply with a probation order and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Both suspects were held for bail hearings and subsequently remanded into provincial custody. Lanz is scheduled to appear in provincial court on March 31, 2025, and Davis on April 3, 2025.

Media Contact:

Acting S/Sgt. Darren Lole
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-581-1061