ARTICLES

Please join us at the 64th Annual Medicine Hat Police Association Ball on October 18, 2025.  This event is open to the public to attend.  Tickets are $80 each or a table of eight for $600.  Music will be provided by MacKinney Music, and all proceeds from the event will be donated to the Special Olympics.

For more information or to purchase tickets contact Sgt. Darlene Garrecht 403-952-6898.

When driving in the closest lane to any stopped roadside vehicle with flashing lights activated, such as police, ambulances, fire trucks, tow trucks and maintenance trucks, including those in construction zones:

• you must move over to the far lane to give workers extra space

• if you can't safely move over, you must slow to at least 60 km/h, or the posted speed limit (whichever is lower)

Actions to take on a single lane highway:

Actions to take on a double lane highway:

Now Hiring – Experienced Police Officers

Join the Medicine Hat Police Service

The Medicine Hat Police Service is seeking qualified, experienced police officers to join our team and serve our vibrant community. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced officers looking to continue their policing career in a progressive, community-focused service.

Why Choose MHPS?
Medicine Hat offers an outstanding quality of life with affordable housing, a lower cost of living, and a supportive, close-knit community. The Medicine Hat Police Service is committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment, ongoing professional development, and modern policing resources to help you succeed.

Relocation Incentive
To support your move, MHPS offers up to a $5,000 relocation allowance upon submission of receipts, with a minimum two-year service commitment.

Who We’re Looking For
We are recruiting officers with previous policing experience who:

• Have a proven record of professionalism, integrity, and community service.
• Are adaptable, motivated, and committed to the values of trust, respect, integrity, and accountability.
• Meet the lateral entry requirements for Alberta policing.

How to Apply
For application details, required qualifications, and lateral entry information click HERE

If you have additional questions email our Recruitment Team at recruiting@mhps.ca

Be part of a service that values both its members and its community. Your experience can make a difference here.

Moving to Medicine Hat

To learn more about our community visit: Tourism Medicine Hat 

Medicine Hat Police Service offers an online process for Police Information Checks.  You can now apply any time and receive your .pdf results directly via email download link.

Are you an employer who reimburses your employees or volunteers for their Police Information Checks?  Contact us to learn more about our VOUCHER ACCOUNTS at .

To begin your online application, click the link below:

If you reside outside Canada, please email pic@mhps.ca for application instructions.

For Local Police Record Check (part of Record Suspension application) click here.

About Police Information Checks

** For specific information regarding Vulnerable Sector screening, scroll to the next section **

A Police Information Check (PIC) is more than a Canadian Criminal Record Check (or Certified Criminal Record Check).  A PIC involves searches of three distinct databases including:

• CPIC - the Canadian Police Information Centre system and RCMP National repository in Ottawa
• JOIN - the Justice Online Information Network (the Alberta Court system)
• Verasadex RMS - the local Police records database that contains records of involvement with the Medicine Hat Police Service

What information may be disclosed?

• Canada-wide Criminal Record history (Adult and Youth convictions if applicable)
• Pending and outstanding charges
• Outstanding warrants for arrest Canada-wide
• Active/current Judicial Orders (probation, prohibitions, peace bonds, etc)
• Police history or files - this may include any interactions an individual has had with Police, including mental health occurrences, if they are deemed to be relevant. 

*A relevant occurrence may not have resulted in charges being laid or in criminal conviction, but may be disclosed if relevant to the position being sought or if there is a potential risk to public safety (as a non-conviction disclosure).

• Vulnerable Sector Records (pardoned sex offender)
• Absolute Discharge, Stay of Proceedings, and/or Alternative Measures dispositions (for 1 year after sentence date)
• Conditional Discharge (for 3 years after sentence date)

The Alberta Police Information Check Disclosure Procedures is utilized by Police agencies across the Province to standardize processing PIC applications.  It outlines the processes and disclosure guidelines we use here at MHPS.

Vulnerable Sector Screening (PIC with VS Check)

A Police Information Check that includes Vulnerable Sector (VS) screening is an enhanced PIC used to protect children and other vulnerable persons and is governed by the Criminal Records Act. 

VS screening is used to verify if an individual has received a Record Suspension (formerly known as a Pardon) for a sexual offence conviction, and if an individual has had any relevant involvement with Police.  Individuals entering or in a role in which they are or will be in a position of trust and/or authority over vulnerable persons will likely be required to obtain this screening. 

Vulnerable persons include:

• Children
• Elderly
• Individuals with disabilities
• Other person dependent on others or who is at greater risk for victimization than the general population

Please Note:  A position of trust or authority is more than having contact with children or vulnerable persons.  The nature of the position (the job description) must cause the person to have authority over, or the trust of, children or vulnerable persons.  Positions with occasional contact may still require VS screening if the nature of the position leads children or vulnerable persons to have trust in the individual. 

It is the responsibility of the organization or the person responsible for the vulnerable person(s) to request that VS screening be completed.  If you are unsure if you require VS screening, please consult with your employer, educational institution, or volunteer organization.

MHPS is responsible for ensuring that the position responsibilities meet the above requirements and may refuse to conduct VS screening if that threshold is not met, regardless of the requesting organization's internal policies.  Because the Record Suspension (or Pardoned) conviction information is sealed, it is unlawful for us to conduct these queries without just cause. 

MHPS will only conduct Vulnerable Sector screening for individuals currently residing in the City of Medicine Hat.  You will be required to show proof of residence in the form of valid government-issued ID with a Medicine Hat address, including but not limited to the following documents:

• Recent mailed utility or telephone bill
• Property rental agreements (fixed term)
• Recent mailed bank statement
• Other documentation on approval of PIC Specialist. 

**We reserve the right to accept or refuse any documentation to be used as proof of residency. We will not accept printed copies, screenshots, etc.**

Results of Vulnerable Sector Screening

VS searches are conducted using your basic demographic information.  This information is used to locate any potential match with anyone who has received a Record Suspension for a sexual offence.  A potential match may be someone who shares the same date of birth and gender as you, but cannot be verified on that criteria alone.  You may be notified that fingerprints are required to determine status.  A request for fingerprints does not suggest that you are the subject of a pardon for a sexual offence, it means the results are inconclusive based on your demographic information search against the pardoned sex offender database.

Applying for a Police Information Check

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

A Certified Criminal Record Check (CCRC) is a search conducted by the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) to search for any criminal record that may exist for any name and fingerprint combination for convictions occurring anywhere within Canada.  A Certified document is issued for submission to any requesting agency that may require the information.

*These are not to be confused with the fingerprints required as part of Vulnerable Sector screening for Police Information Checks (PIC-VS).  For information about VS fingerprints, click here.

Fingerprint Requirements

Certified Criminal Record Checks are checks done using your fingerprints rather than your name and other demographic information.  These are considered "non-criminal fingerprints" or "civil fingerprints" and are not taken for criminal charges or proceedings.  These checks are done by taking an electronic scan of your fingerprints and submitting them to the RCMP National Repository in Ottawa to provide a report of any/all convictions that have been linked directly to your fingerprints. 

They are required for various processes including (but not limited to) applications for:

• Citizenship
• Immigration (Landed Immigrant Status)
• Legal name changes
• Record Suspensions (previously called a "pardon")
• US Travel Waivers

We also offer hard copy Ink & Paper fingerprinting services for purposes such as Criminal Record Checks in other countries, including (but not limited to):

• Passport renewal
• Immigration Police Clearance Checks (PCC)

Fingerprint Process

All Non-Criminal Fingerprinting is done by appointment only on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  To book an appointment, please email scott.schall@mhps.ca or phone (403) 529-8455.

At your appointment, you must provide the following:

• One piece of government issued photo ID. It must include your name and date of birth.  Social Insurance cards or temporary drivers licenses will not be accepted.  Proof of address may be required as your results will be mailed to you directly.

Once you receive the certified report from the RCMP, it is your responsibility to submit it to the requesting agency.

Fees and Payment

All fingerprints for civil purposes are subject to the following fees:

• Electronic fingerprinting - $75.00   ($25 RCMP fee and $50 MHPS fee)
• Hard copy fingerprinting (ink sets) - $50

Processing Time

Results can take 2-3 weeks to reach your residence by mail, but these times are outside the control of MHPS and may vary. 

A record suspension (formerly known as a "pardon") allows people who were convicted of a criminal offence, but have completed their sentence and demonstrated that they are law-abiding citizens for a prescribed number of years, to have their criminal record kept sealed and separate from other criminal records. 

The Parole Board of Canada is the official and only federal agency responsible for ordering, refusing to order and revoking record suspensions for convictions under federal acts or other regulations of Canada.

The Government of Canada has made the process affordable and simple enough for anyone to apply without the assistance of any third party.  To view the steps and eligibility requirements, go to Applying for a record suspension.  You can also access a printable guide here. 

Step #4 of the application process is to obtain a local police record check ("LPRC").  You must obtain an LPRC from every police jurisdiction in which you have lived in the past five (5) years.  This is NOT the same as a Police Information Check (PIC or PIC with vulnerable sector screening), typically used for employment or volunteer purposes.  If you require a PIC/PIC-VS, click here: MHPS PIC

Applying for a Local Police Record Check

All LPRC applications are submitted using our online platform, just like our regular Police Information Checks.  Click the link below to get started.  You must apply yourself - a third party individual or company cannot complete the consents and ID verification for you.

Fees and Payment

The fee for this application is $75.00 and can be paid during the online process by credit card or some debit cards.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you require an LPRC for a Record Suspension.  We will not issue refunds for applications made in error.

Processing Times

LPRC requests are processed in the order they are received and deemed to be in good order.   Expect processing to take approximately 90 full business days - this is subject to change without notice, pending the volume of requests received.  You will receive an email advising that your LPRC is ready for pick up in person (for local applicants) or that it has been mailed (for out of town applicants).

More Information

For more information regarding record suspensions (pardons), you can contact the Parole Board at:

      Clemency and Record Suspension Division

      Parole Board of Canada

      410 Laurier Avenue West, 5th Floor

      Ottawa, Ontario   K1A 0R1

Toll-free Phone:  1-800-874-2652

Email:  suspension@pbc-clcc.gc.ca

For further assistance from MHPS regarding record suspensions, please email police.info@mhps.ca.

The Medicine Hat Police Service is requesting public assistance in locating a 46-year-old Medicine Hat man, Chad LENTZ.

Chad LENTZ is described as a white male, 5’11” (180 cm) tall, weighing approximately 185 lbs (84 kg), with a shaved head, blue eyes and has several tattoos on his arms and body. (see attached photo)

Chad LENTZ is currently wanted on numerous outstanding warrants.

Anyone with information that could assist with locating Chad LENTZ is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 and request to speak to a member of the Criminal Investigation Section. Tips may also be submitted, anonymously if preferred, via the MHPS website (mhps.ca) or mobile app. The MHPS app is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Darren Lole
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

On December 26, 2025, at approximately 7:50 PM, member of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Patrol Section responded to a report of a personal robbery beneath the Allowance Avenue overpass.

A 36-year-old man reported that he was approached by an individual who stole his backpack containing personal items.

The suspect has been identified as Matthew James Perini, age 35, of Medicine Hat. Mr. Perini is facing charges of armed robbery and assault with a weapon, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The MHPS requests that businesses located in the 900 Block of South Railway Street review their closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage. Motorists who were traveling on South Railway at the time of the incident are also encouraged to examine their dash-cam recordings for material that may be relevant to the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481.

Media Contact:

A/S/Sgt. Clarke White
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

The Medicine Hat Police Service is requesting the public's assistance in locating Jennifer SCHERER who has not been in contact with family members since mid-December. The circumstances surrounding Jennifer SCHERER’s disappearance are currently considered non-suspicious, but there is concern for her well-being.

Description of Jennifer:

• Age: 39
• Height: 5’2”
• Build: average
• Hair: blonde

We urge anyone with information, to assist our service in ensuring her safety and wellbeing. Please contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at 403-529-8481 with any information that may assist the police in locating Jennifer. Tips may also be submitted via the MHPS website (mhps.ca) or mobile app. The MHPS app is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

On November 18, 2025, the Medicine Hat Police Service Downtown Patrol Unit responded to multiple reports of property damage involving nine businesses located along the 400 block of North Railway Street SE. The total estimated damage is approximately $70,000.

Following an investigation, officers identified a suspect. On December 19, 2025, Shannon Panipekeesick, a 42-year-old resident of Medicine Hat, was formally charged with the following offenses:

•            Mischief causing damage over $5,000 (three counts)

•            Mischief causing damage under $5,000 (six counts)

Ms. Panipekeesick was held for a judicial interim release hearing and was subsequently remanded into custody to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Darcy Brandt
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8481