ARTICLES

Please avoid the Kin Coulee dip on Highway #1 as police are currently on scene with a collision and several others vehicles stuck.  Police are asking people to stay at home tonight if possible as the roads are very slippery and vehicles are not able to make it up most hills within the city.

Thank you

The search for a missing Medicine Hat man continues. On October, 19, 2022 the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) requested public assistance to locate Bradley Kiefer (age 62 years). A photo of Mr. Keifer is attached.

Mr. Keifer has not been seen or in contact with his family since October 16, 2022.

Over the past couple of weeks, the MHPS has conducted a comprehensive search for Mr. Kiefer, including but not limited to, the use of Alberta Search and Rescue as well as HALO air support, but has been unsuccessful locating Mr. Keifer.

Anyone with information on the location of Bradley Kiefer is asked to contact Medicine Hat Police Service at (403)529-8481.

Media contact:

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

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) is investigating a Break and Enter, and Theft that occurred at a local business on Allowance Avenue SE sometime during the evening of Saturday, October 15^th and the morning of Sunday, October 16^th. Stolen from the business were several handguns of various makes and models.

Members of the MHPS Criminal Investigation Section are currently investigating and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to contact MHPS at 403-529-8481. Tips can also be submitted online via the MHPS website (mhps.ca) or mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Media Contact:

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

The Medicine Hat Police Service is requesting public assistance to locate a missing Medicine Hat man, Bradley Kiefer (age 62 years). A photo of Mr. Keifer is attached. He has not been seen or in contact with his family since October 16, 2022.

Anyone with information on the location of Bradley Kiefer is asked to contact Medicine Hat Police Service at (403)529-8481.

Media contact:

Patrol Staff Sergeant
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

On International Women’s Day the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) pledged to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of individuals in the community (Medicine Hat & surrounding area) who lead, inspire, and motivate women and work to break the bias towards advancing gender equity. Each month the MHPS, in partnership with the Medicine Hat Police Association, selects a local individual(s) to highlight with the “Be The Change” award, and celebrate the achievements of these individuals who are catalysts for change in our community.

This month, Linda Gove was chosen as the recipient of the MHPS “Be the Change Award” in recognition of her over 40 years of dedicated volunteer service with Girl Guides of Canada (GGC). As an organization, GGC has a vision of “a better world, by girls” and a mission “to be a catalyst for girls, empowering girls”, with programming available for girls as young as five all the way up to 17 years of age. At its heart, Girl Guides provide girls and young women with safe and inclusive space to explore their interests and a platform to speak out on the issues that matter to them.

In many ways, the Girl Guide movement’s own story is one that started with a demand for gender equality: in 1909, girls in England demanded to take part in a Boy Scouts rally organized by Lord Baden-Powell at the Crystal Palace in London. Baden-Powell was impressed and asked his sister, Agnes, to create a program just for girls. This was the beginning of the Guiding movement, with its early days being characterized by girls advocating for access to the same opportunities afforded to boys – in essence, gender equality.

Today, GGC recognizes and values the richness of human diversity in its many forms, and therefore strives to ensure environments where girls and women from all walks of life, identities, and lived experiences feel a sense of belonging and can participate fully. As such, persons who identify as girls and women are welcome to join GGC, including transgender girls and women.

Through her volunteer service with GGC, Linda has had the opportunity to fill many different roles from unit guider to Commissioner, to public relations advisor. She has organized and led participants from the local units on several exciting adventures including a trip with the Pathfinders to Europe in 2014 and then a bus tour of the maritime provinces in 2016. She is currently involved with her Guiding District planning an area rally for all age groups that will be held at Echo Dale Park this month.

When asked about what motivates and inspires her to continue volunteering, Linda says it is the many lasting relationships she has formed with the girls that have continued into well into their adult years. Whether it is at the weekly meetings, or during the overnight camps, Linda loves watching the girls have fun, while learning new skills and forming friendships. She has taken a particular interest in mentoring young women by providing them with junior leadership opportunities that allow them to give back while gaining increased self confidence as leaders in their community.

Linda’s dedication to the girls was demonstrated during the pandemic, when many clubs were forced to cancel due to the health restrictions, and they were no longer able to meet in the schools, Linda adapted by hosting unit meetings in her backyard, social distanced around a campfire. Over the years, she has recognized how important it is for the girls to have a place where they can keep active, explore the outdoors, and have an opportunity for social connection.

In addition to her service with GGC, Linda has given back to the community in many other ways over the years including as past president of the Medicine Hat Inline Hockey league, billeting Medicine Hat Tiger players, volunteering with figure skating, air cadets and karate all which have been a part of her family’s life in one way or another. In her spare time Linda enjoys dragon boat racing and spending time with her husband Ray, children, and grandchildren. She looks forward to continuing to lead, inspire and motivate others for many years to come!

For more information on how the GGC including how to get involved with a local club visit www.girlguides.ca.

If you know of a role model in our community who would be deserving of the Be The Change award recognition, nominations can be submitted via the MHPS website or mobile app for consideration. The nominations will be reviewed by a committee comprised of women who serve with the MHPS and each month they will select and arrange to meet with the winner to celebrate their accomplishments.

Media Contact:

Rita Sittler

Administrative Services Manager

Medicine Hat Police Service

Ph: 403-529-8416

On September 23, 2022, a beautiful mural was unveiled in the newly renamed Aahkoinnimaan ni Community Boardroom. The mural is the focal point of a community gathering space located in the MHPS building and reflects the history of Medicine Hat being a traditional meeting place for Indigenous people in this area.

The mural was painted by Ray-Al Hochman. Ray-Al is a proud Métis visual artist currently residing in Medicine Hat, AB. Being blessed with the gift of creativity and the drive to make his mark on the world, Ray-Al nurtured his creative spirit throughout his academic career and carries it in all walks of his life.

Hochman completed the Applied arts and Visual Communications program at Medicine Hat College in 2013. During his time there, he was able to explore many various streams of artistic expression including drawing, painting, sculpture, print making and graphic design. Hochman then entered the Bachelor of Fine Arts program offered by the University of Alberta, being taught, and critiqued by some of the best artists in the province. He was encouraged to push himself outside his comfort zone and create larger pieces using new and varying techniques. After completing the BFA program in 2017, Hochman moved back to Medicine Hat where he feels at home amongst the beautiful southern Alberta skies and slower pace that a smaller city affords.

Hochman draws much of his inspiration from nature, whether that be the lush flora and fauna that can be found across this beautiful country or the flash of flames from a campfire burning in the night. Hochman can be found on Facebook, or Instagram as @_rayartistico_ and invites you to peruse some of his selected works all of which are for sale either as original works or prints or to commission a custom piece.

This morning Ray-Al was gifted a Miywasin Saamis Metis sash by JoLynn Parenteau, an Indigenous housing and homeless navigator with the Miywasin Friendship Centre and a member of the Chief’s Indigenous Advisory Committee.

The Aahkoinnimaan ni room is a meeting space, that can accommodate groups of up to 60 people, and is available for community groups to book free of charge upon request. To book the Aahkoinnimaan ni room, visit the MHPS website at https://app.mhps.ca/community-boardroom-request/ .

Media Contact:

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

A Lethbridge male is charged with criminal harassment after several Medicine Hat businesses reporting that they had received harassing and indecent phone calls.

Over the past couple months, the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) received multiple complaints from staff at local businesses who had received harassing / indecent phone calls. The staff reported receiving repeated, unwanted phone calls that were lewd in content. In many of the incidents the repeated calls disrupted the normal operations of the business.

The MHPS Criminal Investigation Section conducted a thorough investigation into the matters and identified Jacob Jacobsen (31 years old) of Lethbridge, Alberta, as being responsible for the calls.

On October 5^th, the MHPS, with the assistance of the Lethbridge Police Service, arrested Jacobsen at his home in Lethbridge, AB and he was charged with the following offences.

• Criminal Harassment x 6
• Indecent Telephone Calls x 6
• Breach of Undertaking

Jacobsen was held for a Judicial Intern Hearing where he was released to appear in Provincial Court on October 13, 2022.

Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that there is a high probability that there may be other victims in the community who have not previously reported their concerns to police, and if so those individuals/businesses are asked to call 403-529-8420 and speak with an officer.

Media Contact:

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

Fifteen police cadets began training in Medicine Hat this week as the result of a collaborative partnership between the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), Lethbridge Police Service (LPS), Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) and Lethbridge College (LC). This is the fourth time that the LC Police Cadet Program has been hosted by the MHPS since 2016.

The class comprised of ten MHPS cadets, three from the LPS and two from MFNPS 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 that graduate from competency- based program will earn LC academic credentials that meet the Alberta Provincial Policing Standards.

“The Lethbridge College Police Cadet program is a unique program that partners regional police services with our institution,” said Trudi Mason, Dean Centre for Justice and Human Services LC. “We are excited to collaborate with the MHPS to offer high quality and relevant training that meets the needs of our partner agencies and our communities.”

“LPS congratulates the 15 cadets selected for this class as they take the first steps to begin their careers in policing,” said Lethbridge Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh. “We appreciate the strong partnership with LC to provide comprehensive, foundational training that will ensure each cadet is well-prepared to serve their respective communities. To our three cadets, welcome to the LPS family.”

“The MHPS honored to once again host the police cadet training program,” said MHPS Chief Joe West. “Upon graduation the successful cadets will provide the skilled personnel needed to fill current staff vacancies and will enhance our ability to serve and protect the community.”

Following graduation, the cadets will return to their communities to join their respective agencies and begin their policing careers.

Media Contact:

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

Tina Karst
Communications Coordinator
Lethbridge College
Ph: 403-320-3203
Email: tina.karst@lethbridgecollege.ca

Kristen Saturley
Strategic Communications Manager
Lethbridge Police Service
Ph: 403-330-5030
Email: Kristen.Saturley@lethbridgepolice.ca

On September 28^th, 2022, at 5:54 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Patrol Section responded to a motor vehicle collision that occurred when a Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by an unknown suspect, crashed into an attached garage of a home located in the 500 block of 6^th Street NE. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had previously been reported as stolen out of Brooks, AB.

Patrol officers along with the MHPS K9 Unit searched the area however were unsuccessful in locating the suspect.

The cost of the damage to the residence is yet to be determined as the structural integrity of the garage is unknown. There were no injuries as a resulting from the collision and the matter is still under investigation.

Media Contact:

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

This month, the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) will join other police agencies in the province to implement the use of Health IM, a mobile application that connects emergency responders with critical data on individuals suffering from unmanaged mental health challenges and/or substance abuse issues.

To facilitate access, all MHPS police officers have been equipped with cell phones connected to the app, putting valuable information like an individual’s mental health history, possible triggers, and de-escalation strategies right at their fingertips. This empathetic and evidence-based approach to emergency mental health crisis response has proven to increase safety of law enforcement personnel, improve crisis outcomes, promote more effective oversight, and reduce the impact on policing resources.

Health IM is a provincially funded software solution and consists of four (4) components to assist law enforcement during crisis situations:

• A pre-response safety briefing providing previously obtained information on de-escalation techniques and triggers as well as a brief synopsis of critical safety factors;
• A mental health risk screener to provide a rapid on scene evaluation of risk using clinically validated algorithms to assist in evaluating the risk of harm;
• Inter-agency communication that allows for the viewing of previously attended mental health calls by other policing agencies and allow for the wireless transmission of data to the regional hospital including a digitized form 10, under the Alberta Mental Health Act, and;
• Reporting and analytics, providing timely access to key metrics.

Thanks to additional financial resources donated by the Brandon Niwa Legacy Fund – ‘The Beej Project’, through the Medicine Hat College Community Engagement Office, costs of the technology required for the MHPS to launch Health IM have also been covered.

“Providing officers with access to real-time and relevant information on individuals suffering from mental health and substance abuse issues will increase safety when officers respond to situations with people in crisis,” says Joe West, Interim Chief of the MHPS. “We would like to thank Medicine Hat College and the Niwa family for their support.”

Media Contact:

Insp. Brent Secondiak
Support Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8412