ARTICLES

The Medicine Hat Police Service Community Support Unit (CSU) consists of the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, the Call Centre, and is responsible for a variety of local special events and community engagement.

The SROs provide a visible police presence in some of our local schools and work with students, families, guardians, staff, support services, and administrators to provide a safe environment for everyone while building a positive relationship between youth and police.

For the 2025-2026 school year there are four SROs in Medicine Hat:

Cst. Taylor Olenic is assigned to Medicine Hat High School.  Cst. Olenic can be reached by email at taylor.olenic@mhps.ca or by phone at 403-928-7580.

Cst. Mackenzie Kipta is assinged to assist the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, Alexandra Middle School and Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Center. Cst. Kipta and be reached by email at mackenzie.kipta@mhps.ca or Ph: 403-580-7041

Cst. Brent Bohrn is assigned to Crescent Heights High School.  Cst. Bohrn can be reached by email at brent.bohrn@mhps.ca or Ph: 403-458-0209.

Cst. Chris Mueller is assigned to Monsignor McCoy High School, St. Mary's School and the Notre Dame Academy.  Cst. Mueller can be reached by email at chris.mueller@mhps.ca or by phone at 403-682-7192.

Sgt. Adam Gregory is the supervisor of the CSU and is a liaison to all the schools within Medicine Hat. Further, Sgt. Gregory coordinates the Encouraging Positive Informed Choices (EPIC) program, police coverage for local special events, community engagement where resources allow, and extra duty events.

Sgt. Gregory can be reached at adam.gregory@mhps.ca or 403-529-8451.

Media Contact:

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

Police Officers need to engage with members of the public if they are to learn about the communities they serve and understand neighbourhood problems. Conversations between a person and a police officer are important because they provide the Medicine Hat Police Service with that knowledge. Everyone has the right to feel safe during such interactions and both parties need to understand their rights and responsibilities.

When engaging with a police officer, a person is generally free to leave and continue on their way. This does not prevent a police officer from trying to speak with a person, but that person is always free to leave unless the police officer has a reason to arrest or detain them.

Police officers are trained to follow policies put into place to ensure fair and impartial policing. The collection of personal information during police interactions with a member of the public can only be conducted if there are clear grounds that it may further an investigation or prevent crime, disorder and victimization.

It’s important to know what your rights are, as well as what a police officer’s roles and responsibilities are when you’re interacting with them. The following is designed to provide you with general information about what an officer must do, what you do not have to do, and what you may wish to do in situations involving the police.

When an officer stops or approaches you to speak with you, they must: 

• Identify themselves.
• Tell you why you have been stopped or why they want to talk to you.
• If you are arrested or detained, tell you what for.
• Advise you that you can talk to a lawyer if you are under arrest and provide you with an opportunity to do so in privacy and safety.
• Let you be on your way if you are not being arrested or detained.

When you are stopped or approached by an officer, you:

• Do not need to answer the questions of a police officer.
• Are required to identify yourself if you are breaking a law – including municipal bylaws and provincial laws that require a ticket be issued – or are under arrest. You are also required to provide your driver’s licence, car registration and insurance if you are stopped while driving.
• Can generally say, “No”, when police ask to search your belongings unless you are under arrest or being detained with safety concerns.
• May leave unless you are being detained or arrested.
• If you are arrested or detained, you have a right to speak with a lawyer as soon as officers can give you the privacy and safety to do so in your circumstances.
• Have a right to know a police officer’s name or badge number.

This information is intended to provide general information on the interactions of a person and a police officer. It is not a complete description of all of a person’s rights. This information does not replace the advice of a lawyer, who can give you advice specific to you and your situation. You should consult a lawyer for advice on your situation. If you are arrested, a police officer will read you your rights and give you a toll-free number for free legal advice as well as other resources you might find helpful.

The Municipal Enforcement Section is a team of Community Peace Officers (CPO) appointed by the Alberta Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. Working closely with the Medicine Hat Police Service, Municipal Bylaw Enforcement works to educate and ensure compliance with City Bylaws and select Provincial Statutes.

Municipal Enforcement is responsible for:

• Traffic Enforcement
• Parking Control
• Community Standards
• Domestic Animal and Pet Control
• Dangerous Snake Apprehension and Relocation
• Weed Control and Property Standards
• Homeless Encampment Control
• Noise Enforcement
• Found Property
• Oversize Load Escorts
• Subpoena and Summons Service
• Criminal Code Fingerprinting

Community Peace Officers are scheduled for various shifts through the week as well as weekends and statutory holidays. All calls are responded to in a timely manner, within 48 hours.

A proper investigation and follow-up will begin when you provide your name, address, contact information, as well as the needed information for the concern you have. 

• Date/time/duration of the event
• What the event/concern is
• Location of the event/concern
• Specific information such as the description of the vehicle and a license plate, description of the animal (breed, colour), type of noise, etc.

At times, the investigating officer will need you to produce a signed statement and may need you to attend court. If this is the case, the officer will inform you and explain the process. Your personal information is essential to investigations and is kept in the strictest confidence. The Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIP) governs the collecting and dissemination of all personal information. If you are required to be a witness in a court proceeding, your legal name may be released to the defendant. For more information about FOIP Act visit https://www.alberta.ca/freedom-of-information-and-protection-of-privacy

Hours of operation:

• Office hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Community Peace Officer hours: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm alternating shifts

Contact Information:

• Complaint Line 403-529-8481
• Supervisor Municipal Bylaw Enforcement 403-529-8436

To view information related to some of the common bylaws and access forms visit our Quick Links page.

May 10, 2024 – UPDATE – Male Charged with Mischief

On May 9, 2024, a male was arrested and charged in connection to a series of businesses and personal vehicles that were damaged in the early morning hours of May 8, 2024.  As a result of the investigation, Robert Leduc, a 52-years-old, of no fixed address, has been charged with several offences including: 

• Four counts of Mischief over $5000
• Seven counts of Mischief Under $5000
• One count of Cause a False Fire Alarm

Leduc was remanded into custody and scheduled to appear in Calgary Court of Justice on May 10, 2024.

The Medicine Hat Police Service extends a thank you to everyone who provided information that aided in the investigation.

Media Contact:
S/Sgt Trevor Humphries
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

Public Assistance Requested - Mischief to Property

The Medicine Hat Police Service is seeking public assistance to help further the investigation into damages reported at several local businesses and to private vehicles.

At approximately 4:30 AM on May 8^th, 2024, members of the MHPS Patrol Section responded to a report of damage to a commercial building located in the 0 block of Carry Drive SE. Upon arrival, officers observed extensive damage to the business with numerous windows that had been smashed. Patrol officers were then directed to six other businesses in the vicinity that also had numerous windows that had been broken.  In addition, there were vehicles in the area that also had broken windows, as well as a telecommunication box in the area that had been vandalized. It is believed that the same suspect(s) is responsible for all incidents.

The investigation is ongoing and the MHPS is requesting anyone with information that could assist the investigation into these incidents to call 403-529-8481. Business owners with video surveillance of the area around the time of the offence are asked to check their footage and report if they have video of the suspect. The MHPS is also asking the public for their assistance in identifying a male subject in the attached picture who may have information regarding these incidents.

Tips can be submitted, anonymously if preferred, via the MHPS website (mhps.ca) or mobile app. The app is free to download and is available for both Android and Apple devices.

S/Sgt Rod Thompson
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

Four people have been arrested and nearly $90,000 worth of methamphetamine and cocaine has been seized by ALERT.

ALERT Medicine Hat’s organized crime team made the drug seizures on April 11 and April 30, 2024, as two planned vehicle stops were conducted. The Medicine Hat Police Service and Brooks RCMP provided assistance.

“Our team is focused on community safety and by intercepting the drug shipment before it reached the city we have prevented these harmful substances from hitting the streets,” said Ryan Thorburn, ALERT Medicine Hat.

ALERT seized 500 grams of methamphetamine and 573 grams of cocaine. A vehicle was also seized that will be submitted to the province’s civil forfeiture office.

Four people face numerous drug-related offences:

• Aaron Hotchen, 59-year-old from Medicine Hat;
• Melissa Shpak, 34-year-old from Medicine Hat;
• Terry Van Huizen, 31-year-old from Medicine Hat; and
• Heidi Clampitt, 25-year-old from Medicine Hat.

The investigation began in February 2024 in response to community concerns related to drug trafficking in the Medicine Hat region.

In Medicine Hat, members of the public who suspect drug activity can contact the MHPS by calling 403-529-8481 or submitting tips online (anonymously if preferred) via the website at mhps.ca or the MHPS mobile app. The app is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Albertans 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.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Mike Tucker

Communications Director

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)

780-509-3015

Alarm Registration

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 upcoming hearing scheduled at this time.

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

Access Request for Information 

The MHPS Office of the Police Information Coordinator works to ensure compliance with the Alberta's Access to Information Act ("ATIA"), which replaced the former Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ("FOIP") on June 11th, 2025.  This legislation is a provincial Act that applies to all public bodies in the province of Alberta.

It establishes that members of the public should have: 

• A right of access to records held by a public body, subject to limited and specific exceptions 
• A right of access to one's own personal information held by a public body, subject to limited and specific exceptions 
• A right to request the correction of one's own personal information held by a public body 
• The protection of personal information held by a public body 
• Independent review of a public body's decisions by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner 

This means anyone has a right to ask for any information held by MHPS, who must then collect responsive records and determine if you are entitled to receive them.  MHPS also has a duty to protect any personal information we collect and any member of the public may request an independent review of MHPS' decisions related to the collection, use, and disclosure of that information. 

An Access Request made under the ATIA provides a formal method for requesting records held by MHPS.  It is intended to be an avenue of last resort, used when information is not available through other request procedures. 

Making an Access Request  

The process for making an Access Request under ATIA will depend on whether you are wanting to make a request for: 

• Personal Information 
• General Information 
• A Correction to Personal Information 

In all cases, requests must be made in writing.  While MHPS will accept any written request for records, it is recommended that the appropriate form for each type of request be used.  This ensures that MHPS receives all the required information necessary to complete your request in the most effective, efficient manner and avoid any delays due to missing or unclear information. 

Personal Information Requests 

A Personal Request is a request for access to a record of your own personal information or the personal information of a person you are legally authorized to represent.  Personal Information is generally defined as information that identifies a person or is about a person. See section 1(r) of ATIA for a more detailed description of Personal Information.  

Please Note: An MHPS file in which you were involved is not considered your personal information in its entirety.  Instead, it contains your personal information.  By choosing Personal Information and requesting a Police occurrence, you will only receive your personal information from within that file and all else will be considered outside the scope of your request.  If you wish to receive additional file information that does not directly contain your personal information you will be required to make a General Information Request.

 MHPS will not release any personal information about your family, friends, neighbours, or associates without their written and signed authorization. 

Expand the option below for specific instructions on submitting a personal information requests. 

General Information Requests 

A General Information Request is a request for non-personal information.  This includes information within MHPS occurrence reports that is not your own recorded personal information or that of someone you are authorized to represent.  Requests for general information can also be topical in nature and relate to organizational operations that do not contain personal information, such as statistics or MHPS policy.   

An initial fee of $25 is required when submitting a General Request and must be received before processing will begin. 

Correction of Personal Information Request 

If you believe there is an error or omission in a record containing your personal information held by MHPS, you may request that we correct the information. 

Please Note:  This is not to be used in instances where you disagree with or wish to dispute police investigations concerning yourself, charges laid, or allegations made against you or by you.   

Fee Information 

All applicable fees are charged in accordance with section 96 ATIA as well as section 15 of the ATIA Regulations.

All fees must be paid before a request is processed. 

Accepted Forms of Payment  

Requests made in-person:  Cash, cheque, or debit 

Requests made via mail: Cheque or money order  

*All cheques or money orders must be made payable to "Medicine Hat Police Service" 

Exceptions to Disclosure 

ATIA outlines a number of reasons access to information held by MHPS may be denied or only partially granted.  This could appear as a redaction, severing the withheld information from the information being released, or may be otherwise removed from a release.  All vetting will be explained to you in writing. 

The following are some examples of exceptions:   

• Request for information, not records:  ATIA establishes a right of access to records, not information.  MHPS is under no obligation to compile information that does not exist as a record. 
  
• Ongoing Prosecution:  These records are not within the scope of ATIA and MHPS will not provide any records that relate to any criminal matter that is before the Courts at the time of the request.
   
• Third Party Personal Information:  Someone else's personal information is considered "third party".  MHPS will not release personal information about your family, friends, neighbours, or anyone else to you without their written authorization.  MHPS will neither confirm nor deny the existence of information that relates to someone else if the request is specifically for information about another person or persons, as per section 14(2) ATIA.
   
• Ongoing or Unsolved Investigations:  Information that could harm an ongoing or unsolved investigation, including Professional Standards investigations will not be released.
   
• Harm to Others:  Information that could be used to harm a member of the public or members of the Medicine Hat Police Service.
   
• Information Obtained from Other Agencies:  Any information that originated with or is held by another agency or public body must be requested from that agency directly.  For example, requests for 911 records must be made to the City of Medicine Hat, medical records must be requested from Alberta Health Services, and information from incidents reported to the RCMP must be requested from the RCMP.  

Please Note:  This is not an exhaustive list.  If you have questions, please email the Office of the Information Coordinator directly at police.info@mhps.ca. 

Processing Times 

Under ATIA, we have up to thirty (30) business days to respond to your request and we may extend that time if the request is particularly complex or involves an extremely large number of records, or if third-party consultation is required.   

MHPS receives multiple requests for records every day.  We recognize that each request is urgent to the applicant requesting it and it is for this reason that we will not expedite the disclosure process to accommodate individual needs, such as court appearances.   

We strive to complete requests in the order in which they are received and as quickly as possible. 

Authority to Disregard Requests

MHPS reserves the right to exercise discretion to disregard an access request pursuant to ATIA if:  

• The request is repetitious or systematic in nature and responding would unreasonably interfere with MHPS operations or amount to an abuse of the right to make a request 
• The request is abusive, threatening, frivolous or vexatious 
• The request is lacking sufficient information to process the request, where there is not enough detail to locate and identify the requested record within a reasonable time and with reasonable effort 
• The request is overly broad or incomprehensible, meaning the request is wider in scope than is normal, necessary, or reasonable; or the request is impossible or extremely difficult to understand 
• The information was previously released, meaning the information has already been provided to the applicant, or if the information is publicly available 

If MHPS makes the decision to disregard an Access Request, you will receive a written notice of the decision within 30 business days.  The notice will advise the reasons for the decision to disregard the request and provide information on your right to request a review by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta.

Resource Information 

Click the following links to access additional information that may be helpful to you regarding Access Requests. 

           The Access to Information Act

           
            REPEALED: The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act 

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner Website  

            ATIA information from the Government of Alberta Website

MHPS Access Request Form

MHPS Authorized Representative Consent Form 

Contact Us 

Email:  police.info@mhps.ca 
Phone:  403-529-8400 select option #9 from the main menu and follow the prompts  
Mailing Address: 
Medicine Hat Police Service 
884 2 St SE 
Medicine Hat, AB  T1A 8H2 

Medicine Hat Police Service has made certain records available outside of the formal Access to Information request as permitted by the Access to Information Act ("ATIA").  The following guide explains the qualifying records and application process.

Types of Files Processed: 

Case Summary from specified category of minor property occurrence - $50.00 (incl GST) per occurance

• Lost or Stolen Property                                            - Mischief 
• Theft from Auto                                                        - Break & Enter - no suspect identified 
• Stolen / Recovered Auto                                          - Full AB Collision Rpt & Statements (with consent) 

Production of qualifying multimedia files - $65.00 (incl GST) per media file

• Audio/Video 
• Photos 

Available free of charge:

• Your own witness statement 
• The "Driver's Copy" of the AB Collision Rpt.  Self Serve your copy via GOA Online Collision

How to Make a Routine Request

Accepted Payment 

• Cash (not recommended for mailed requests)                                               
• Debit (in person)                           
• Cheque                            
• Money Order 

                                      ** Please make all cheques payable to Medicine Hat Police Service ** 

Processing Times 

Our goal is to process all Routine Requests within 4 weeks of receipt and approval.  This is subject to change without notice and may vary due to the volume of requests received. 

Please be aware that, due to the volume of requests received, the Office of the Information Coordinator will not respond to any status update requests during the processing time period.  

Contact Info 
 
For further assistance, please email the Office of the Information Coordinator at police.info@mhps.ca.  

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) receives hundreds of information requests each year.  These requests are sorted by type:  Routine Record Requests and formal Access to Information Requests. 

There are separate application forms and fees for each type of request.  The following guide will help you determine which type of request you will need to submit. 

PLEASE NOTE:   

*All 911 recordings and CAD information can only be obtained by submitting a formal Access Request to the City of Medicine Hat 

** The Medicine Hat Police Commission is considered a separate public body and has jurisdiction over its own records.   All requests for Commission records must be made through the Police Commission directly