EDI > Police Service Delivery
The fundamental purpose of the MHPS is to serve and protect the community. To accomplish this, we must be aware of the needs of various groups to ensure we are providing accessible and responsible policing services to all people in the community equitably. Community stakeholders including; service organizations for persons with disabilities, immigration services, housing and social service agencies, local school communities and justice community partners were involved in the development of the objectives and actions under this theme in an effort to increase awareness of potential gaps in service.
It is recognized that continual effort must be made to ensure the MHPS stays connected to the community to be aware of and respond to issues or concerns. There are a variety of ways the MHPS can accomplish this both formally and informally. Informally the MHPS will continue to collaborate with community partners and stakeholders to maintain and expand a network of relationships. The MHPS will use a variety of communication tools to share information about our activities and community safety concerns. Formally the MHPS commits to the following activities:
Initiative: Chief's Indigenous Advisory Board
Status: In Progress
Objective: Community consultation with indigenous populations that meets four times per year.
Responsible: Chief of Police
Measurable: Establishment of an Advisory Board
To view the entire MHPS Indigenous Reconciliation Action plan
click here
Initiative: Public Survey
Status: Completed Fall 2023
Objective: The Police Commission will conduct survey to ensure the MHPS is able to understand and respond to community concerns about crime and safety a public survey is conducted to gather statistically reliable data from community members to aid the development of the four-year strategic plan.
Topics in the survey include; general safety, communication initiatives, road safety, uniformed patrols, bylaw enforcement, criminal investigation, trends and emerging issues and victim services.
Responsible: Chief of Police / Police Commission
Measurable: Results can be viewed on the Medicine Hat Police Commission website
click here
Initiative: Open House
Status: Annual - The next MHPS Open House will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024
Objective: Annual opportunity for community members to learn more about the MHPS and its operation through information displays, demos & building tours.
Responsible: Office of the Chief / Community Support Unit
Measurable: Measure of community participation.
Initiative: Citizens Police Academy
Status: Annual -
The next Citizens' Police Academy will be held in September 2024. The application deadline to apply to participate is June 26, 2024. For more information on the CPA or to apply click here.
Objective: Annual opportunity for interested community members to gain an in depth understanding of the MHPS and its operations, and gain an increased awareness of current policing issues and community safety concerns through a series of lectures, hands on learning and demonstrations.
Responsible: Community Support Unit
Measurable: Measure the number of applicants each year. Measure satisfaction of participants upon conclusion of CPA.
Initiative: Participation in Provincial Committees
Status: In Progress
Objective: One MHPS Inspector sits on the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee. This group, which is made up of Police Managers from across the province, meets regularly throughout the year to discuss best practices and identify opportunities for provincial initiatives such as EDI training.
The other Inspector sits on the AACP policing with Indigenous Persons Committee. This group of senior police leaders looks to strengthen relationships with Indigenous peoples and seek ways to embrace the “Calls to Action” for police generated from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Responsible: Inspectors
Initiative: Training
Status: Ongoing
Objective: The MHPS continually seeks out opportunities to provide relevant training to police officers, support staff and community partners (when applicable) that focuses on increasing understanding, respect and empathy for all those we serve.
Responsible:Training Unit
Measurable:
- On October 17, 2023 the MHPS hosted a professional development day for staff with Russell Garnett as the keynote speaker discussing policing during the Holocaust. Tyler Pelke also spoke on the topic of finding peace after trauma and Pam August on how to change your mindset from problem to potential.
- In 2024 all MHPS staff were assigned to complete the Cultural Awareness and Humility Course, provided online by the Canadian Police Knowledge Network.
- On February 27, the MHPS Training Unit hosted a webinar on Neurodiversity & Educated Emergency Responses for over 150 attendees from agencies such as the Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service, Lacombe Police Service, RCMP, Alberta Women in Public Safety, Alberta Health Services, Calgary Fire Department, HALO Air, Calgary Paramedic Services, Search and Rescue Southern Alberta Region and Victim’s Assistance.
