ARTICLES

The Medicine Hat Police Service is happy to report that the missing child that had been previously reported as missing has been located safe and sound. We thank the public for the assistance with phone calls and self iniated searches. We also want to thank the following:

• South Eastern Alberta Search and Rescue (SEASAR);
• Lethbridge and Area Search and Rescue.

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), in collaboration with the Miywasin Friendship Centre, held a traditional Blackfoot naming ceremony on September 23, 2022, in the MHPS Community Boardroom.  During the ceremony a Blackfoot name was bestowed upon the community space, to honor and acknowledge the Indigenous history of the land.

Medicine Hat is situated on Treaty 7 and Treaty 4 territory, traditional lands of the Siksika (Blackfoot), Kainai (blood), Pikani (Peigan), Stoney- Nakoda, and Tsuut`ina (Sarcee) as well as the Cree, Sioux and the Saulteaux bands of the Ojibwa peoples and is also on the Métis Nation within District Two, Battle River Territory.  According to the most recently available census data (2021), Medicine Hat is currently home to approximately 3,225 residents who identify as Indigenous.

One of the goals of the MHPS Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan developed in 2021, was to create a respectful working relationship with all Indigenous people and enhance cultural understanding.  Working with members of the Chief’s Indigenous Advisory Committee, it was felt that renaming the boardroom would pay tribute to the history of this area being a traditional gathering spot for Indigenous communities.

During the ceremony the name, Aahkoinnimaan ni, was selected by Elder Charlie Fox of the Kainai Nation, a word that translates as the sacred pipe, a symbol of justice and peace that has a traditional role in the resolution of issues.

After the ceremony a come-and-go celebration was held to allow all community members an opportunity to attend and view a mural painted by local Métis artist, Ray-Al Hochman.  The room also has four canvas art pieces installed that were created by JoLynn Parenteau, an Indigenous housing and homeless navigator with the Miywasin Friendship Centre and a member of the Chief’s Indigenous Advisory Committee.  Each of the four paintings highlights the traditional language of the Blackfoot, Michif, Ojibwe and Plains Cree peoples. 

“Police Services throughout Alberta have been working toward answering the “Calls to Action” resulting from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” said MHPS Chief Joe West. “The Service is honoured to provide this gesture of recognition and acknowledgement of Indigenous peoples and the land we share.”

“The Miywasin Friendship Centre commends the MHPS for their steadfast commitment to reconciliation with Medicine Hat's urban Indigenous community,” said JoLynn Parenteau of the Miywasin Friendship Centre.  “From building relationships at the street level to inviting Elders in to honour their space with ceremony, the MHPS respects and acknowledges the traditional Treaty land where they work to protect and serve our community."

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, complete the Community Boardroom request form found the MHPS website.

Media Contact:

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

In the early morning hours of September 18th, 2022, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service were called to a residence in the 300 block of 7th St SE for weapons offences.   Due to the nature of the complaint, the MHPS Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiators were called to the location.

After several hours at the scene, members entered the residence after attempts to contact were unsuccessful and located a male who died of self-inflicted injuries.

Due to the nature of the investigation and respect for family members no further information will be released regarding this event.

On September 16th at approximately 10:00 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to a business located in the 1700 block of Dunmore RD SE following a report that a vehicle had drove through the front wall of a store.

Upon arrival at the scene, it was determined that a vehicle, with a lone driver, had crashed through the wall and plate glass windows of a store. The business was open at the time but fortunately no one in the store or the driver were injured.

The investigation ruled out any concern of impaired driving and determined that a lack of vehicle control was the cause of the collision. The investigation is still ongoing, and damages are estimated at approximately $40,000.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Kelsey Fraser
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

Please avoid the area of the 100 block of South Railway Street as emergency crews are currently at the scene of a fire.  

The Medicine Hat Police Service has received information of a potential fake gold/ jewellery scam occurring in our area. Victims of this scams are approached by persons who advise the that they were selling legitimate items, historically gold and silver jewelry, that is supposedly valued tens of thousands of dollars and being sold for a substantially reduced amount.

The victims of the fraud later learn that the items are worthless, but only after having lost a substantial amount of money. During the conversation, while the victims are distracted, they are sometimes also pick-pocketed or targeted by the scam artists for theft from vehicles.

The most practical advice when presented with an opportunity is, that if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to report it by calling the non-emergency line 403-529-8481 or by submitting a tip 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:

A/Insp Jason Graham
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8411

On the morning of September 11th, at approximately 11:00 a.m. members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to a residence on Cooper Road SE following a report of a male who had threatened a neighbor with a handgun. Information received stated that a male approached a neighbor, brandished a handgun, made a direct threat to the victim, before returning to his home.

Upon arrival at the scene officers secured the immediate area to ensure that the male suspect was contained to his home, and after some negotiating, the male suspect was taken into custody without incident.

A search warrant was then executed on the suspect’s home and a black handgun style BB gun, along with a holster was located.

The male suspect is identified as 44-year-old, Dennis Lecaine of Medicine Hat, AB. Lecaine was charged with following offences.

• Utter Threats,
• Possession of a Weapon Dangerous,
• Point Firearm

Lecaine was held for a Judicial Intern Release hearing, where he was released pending his next court appearance in Medicine Hat Provincial Court on October 5, 2022.

Media Contact:

Acting Inspector Jason Graham
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-581-7880

A professional conduct hearing will be held on September 20, 2022, at 11 a.m. in the Medicine Hat Police Service Community Boardroom, located at 884 2nd Street SE. The hearing is open to the public to attend and will review:

• MHPS file #: IAPRO 20-17
• First Appearance
• Conduct Charges: Discreditable Conduct & Insubordination x 2, regarding alleged off-duty conduct; Deceit & Discreditable Conduct, regarding alleged in-court conduct; and Insubordination X 2, regarding alleged conduct during the internal investigation.

ANY FORM OF RECORDING, PICTURE TAKING, OR SHARING OF VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE LINKS ARE PROHIBITED.

FOOD AND DRINKS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE HEARING ROOM.

On September 9, 2022, at approximately 6:00 PM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service conducted a traffic stop on a known adult male who was wanted for an outstanding criminal warrant. During this traffic stop officers discovered several weapons inside the vehicle that were within access of the occupants. Officers took the male into custody and seized the following weapons from the vehicle: one rifle, a cross bow, machete, knives, and a pellet pistol. After these seizures the male was held in custody to await a bail hearing on the following matters:

• Criminal Warrant
• Careless storage of a firearm
• Possessing a firearm in a motor vehicle
• Possession of a weapon dangerous (machete)
• Possession of a prohibited weapon (crossbow)

A bail hearing will be held within the next 24 hours where the man's detention or release will be determined.

The Canadian Mental Health Association of Alberta Southeast Region (CMHA ASER) is pleased to announce the development of an alternative crisis response program in our community, entitled “Community Assisted Response (CARE)”, that will respond to low-risk mental health emergency calls, and help to decriminalize the response to mental illness, addiction, and homelessness.

Funding for the initiative was provided by the Government of Alberta Civil Society Fund who have contributed $451,000 over 1 year towards a pilot project that will be led by CMHA ASER, in partnership with the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS).

“Alberta’s government recognizes homelessness often intersects with mental health and addictions and new and innovative responses are needed to make sure vulnerable Albertans can get appropriate supports, with compassion and dignity,” says Jason Luan, Minister of Community and Social Services. “This is an exciting project will make a big difference in this community and potentially around the province. I’m pleased to support this project through the Civil Society Fund and I look forward to learning how it improves access to supports for vulnerable people.”

Currently the MHPS are often called to be the primary first responders to many low-risk mental health emergency calls for service, welfare checks, and intoxicated person calls. When police respond to these calls, it leaves them with less time to respond to more serious criminal matters and at times the presence of a uniformed police officer can be triggering to the person in crisis and may escalate the problem. It also can result in the criminalization of mental illness, addictions, and homelessness. For these reasons, it is recognized nationwide that an alternative crisis response would provide a more effective response and more appropriately utilize available resources.

In response to this need, CMHA ASER and the MHPS have partnered on the development of a Medicine Hat CARE team that will employ two teams of mental health first-responders who will responds to low-risk emergency calls for service where there are no weapons or indication of violence involved and the individuals in crisis are not displaying any signs of aggression. The goal of the team will be to provide support to individuals experiencing mental illness, addiction, and homelessness and assist them with system-navigation so that they may most efficiently access available programs in our community of care in Medicine Hat.

“Each year the MHPS responds to an estimated 800 calls for service that are not criminal in nature and would be better suited the expertise of mental health professionals,” says Inspector Brent Secondiak of the MHPS. “The addition of the CARE team will allow our officers to focus their efforts on serious criminal matters impacting public safety and will better provide persons in crisis with the support they need.”

“I am very grateful for all the work done previously to facilitate this new team to be ready to hit the streets offering care and support to the citizens of Medicine Hat,” says Lyndon Grunewald, Executive Director of Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Southeast Region. I believe the service will provide a valuable resource to those seeking assistance in their mental wellness journey. We all strive for good mental wellness and the board, staff, volunteers and peers at the CMHA-ASER office are committed to serving our communities with support, connection, training and now community outreach.”

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