ARTICLES

MHPS is pleased to offer the ability to purchase goods and services online.

Please click the link below to connect to our online store.

http://shop.mhpay.ca 

Some frequently asked questions about photo radar include:

Is photo radar enforcement automatic or is it under operator control?

Photo Radar is a combination of both, it is an automatic system which triggers an image being taken when an excessive speed is detected by the photo radar system and each violation is reviewed by the operator for accuracy and other related variables.  Both the photo radar system and operators work together when enforcing speed limits in Medicine Hat.

How many photo radar vehicles are deployed throughout the city of Medicine Hat?

The unit utilizes two vehicles to monitor the various photo radar sites throughout the City. Both of the vehicles are dedicated to monitoring speeds within school and playground zones.

How are photo radar enforcement sites selected?

All sites are selected pursuant to the guidelines set out by the Province of Alberta. Photo radar sites are selected based on the following criteria:

·  school and playground zones;

·  construction zones;

To view a complete list of photo radar site locations click here

Automated Traffic Enforcement Location Assessment

How will I be notified of an offence?

A violation ticket will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

Does someone review the photographs before motorists are ticketed?

Yes. Persons designated as peace officers in the province of Alberta operate the mobile photo radar vehicles. The operator is responsible for setting up and testing the equipment in the vehicle. The operator also observes and makes notes on each violation.  The operators review every image to verify that the vehicle is in violation and that the vehicle information is correct. Tickets are mailed to registered owners where it is clear that the vehicle committed a speed infraction.

If I receive a violation ticket what are my options?

You may plead guilty to the offence charged by mailing and voluntarily paying the amount specified on or before the appearance date indicated on the ticket OR plead not guilty. Once a ticket is issued to the registered owner, it becomes a Provincial Court matter. Options are listed on the violation ticket as to how you may address or contest the violation ticket.

Where can I pay for the ticket?

Tickets can be paid in person at any registry office or the Provincial Courthouse. You must bring your ticket with you when making a payment.  If you wish to mail your payment, follow instructions on your ticket and mail to the Provincial Traffic Production Center 601 5th Street SW, Calgary, AB T2P 5P7.  You may also pay your ticket online at www.finepayment.gov.ab.ca.  Service fees will apply at a Registry Office or if you pay online.

If I plead guilty to a photo radar offence, will I receive demerits against my driver’s license?

No. There are no demerit points associated to any automated enforcement tickets, as they are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle and not a specific person as the driver.

Does a ticket impact my insurance?

No.  Your driving record and your National Safety Code Profile are not affected by automated enforcement tickets.

Where does the money from Automated Traffic Enforcement go?

The Province of Alberta retains 41.67% of the total fine amount, 15% of which is directed towards Victim Services, and 26.67% is an administrative fee retained by the government.  The balance of the fine (58.33%) when paid is directed to the Municipal Government. If there is a late payment penalty attached to the fine, the province receives the surcharge amount associated.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Medicine Hat Police Service!

Benefits of Volunteering

For many years volunteers have played an important role in our organization, enhancing the services that we provide to our community through our Victim Assistance and Auxiliary Police Officer Volunteer programs. We have been proud to partner with many talented, skilled and selfless individuals who have offered the gift of their time and unique skills sets to supplement and support our policing efforts. The success of these programs has led us to expand our existing volunteer program to included other opportunities for dedicated individuals to join with us and contribute to creating a positive impact in our community.

Volunteering with the Medicine Hat Police Service will give you the opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills and become more familiar with the policing needs of our community.  And in return, as a representative of our community, you may also be able to provide us with insight into issues that would allow the MHPS to improve our effectiveness and connection with the community as a whole.

Volunteer Requirements

Members of the public who wish to volunteer will be required to successfully pass a police information check, adhere to the procedures and guidelines outline in the MHPS Volunteer Handbook and responsible to read and comply with the MHPS Volunteer Policy.  All volunteers will be required to attend a mandatory orientation and training session prior to the commencement of any volunteer activity.  Supplemental security clearance and training may be required depending on the volunteer position applied for.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Victim Assistance Unit

Medicine Hat Safe Community Association

Citizens Police Academy The Citizens Police Academy is a Medicine Hat Police Service outreach program intended to provide community members with the opportunity to learn more about their local police service.  Through a series of lectures, hands-on learning and practical demonstrations provided by police personnel, participants will gain an understanding of the MHPS, its role, daily operations, as well as increased awareness of current policing issues and community safety concerns.  The Academy concludes with an official graduation ceremony where participants who have successfully completed the program will be presented with a participation certificate.

Class Information

The course is hosted in the MHPS Community Boardroom and runs weekly on Wednesday evenings, for approximately three hours, for eight consecutive weeks.  Applicants must be at least 18 years old and successfully pass a security clearance check.  There is no cost to participate. Class size is limited to 20 participants.

Course Syllabus

These presentations will be interactive and provide insight into the diverse nature of policing in Medicine Hat.  Topics covered will include but are not limited to:

• Overview of police uniformed operations
• Overview of specialty teams including; Tactical Arrest and Control Team, Explosive Disposal Unit and Crisis Negotiators
• Major Crime Investigations
• Community Safety Initiatives
• Community partnerships including; Police and Crisis Team, Safe Families Intervention Team
• Victim Services
• Employee Wellness Programs
• Emerging Crime Trends
• Firearms and Control Tactics
• Canine Demonstration

Participant Selection Process

Each community has its own policing needs and participants are selected to reflect the broadest possible range of individuals who have a significant role within the community, based on their employment and or affiliations.  Efforts will be made to ensure a diverse class based on age, gender, ethnic or religious backgrounds.  We encourage participants who have an interest in police related issues or work alongside police to apply, this includes; community leaders, police family members, members of the media and those interested in a career in law enforcement or future police volunteer opportunities.

Note: For those interested in learning more about policing as a possible profession this program could be helpful however the Citizens Police Academy is NOT intended to train people to be police officers and will not be considered as part of the MHPS recruiting and selection process. Please refer to the Medicine Hat Police Service Recruiting Page for more information.

How to apply?

Applications for the fall 2024 CPA have now closed.  Those who applied and are selected to participate will be contacted.

For more information contact:

Sgt. Carissa Witkowski
Training Unit
Ph: 403-952-5642
Email: carwit@mhps.ca

Online reporting may be used for reporting a crime if the loss or damage is under $5,000 and there are no suspects.  Reports can be filed online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Once the information is submitted, a file number will be generated and final report returned to the email provided, usually within 24 hours. If you do not have internet access or have an email address, you can report the incident by calling (403) 529-8481.

The following report types should be submitted online:

• Theft from vehicle (car prowling)– Up to $5,000 value of property
• Theft of property– Up to $5,000 value of property
• NEW - Theft of credit or debit card (when that is the only item missing)
• Mischief to vehicle– such as vandalism
• Mischief to property– such as vandalism & graffiti
• Lost property– with the exception of government-issued ID such as passports. Please call (403) 529-8481 to report lost government issued documents.
• Attempted stolen vehicle– regardless of damage value
• NEW - Break & enter into unlocked premise other than residential (includes; sheds, parking garages, storage lockers, detached garages, etc.) Residential and commercial break and enters should be reported to (403)-529-8481.
• NEW - Theft of mail (including packages from postal services and other delivery services)
• NEW - Stolen property for sale online (including; Kijiji, Craigslist, Facebook, etc.)

For all other property-related offences, call the MHPS non-emergency line 403-529-8481, where officers are available to answer questions and take some reports over the phone.

To report a motor vehicle collision with no injuries call the Collision Reporting Centre at 403-581-1070.

Call 9-1-1 for all emergencies and to report crimes in progress.

For more information or to determine if your event meets the criteria for filing online, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions.

To begin the process, please click HERE.

Please note that some or all of the following are applicable only if you are the victim and the accused person(s) is charged with a crime.  Please contact the Victim Assistance Unit office for more details at 403-529-8480. 

Interim Victims of Crime Assistance Program:

Help for Victims of Crime: Overview

Victims of crime can get a monetary benefit to acknowledge victimization, based on serious injuries directly suffered from a crime. This includes a Serious Injury Benefit for victims who are seriously injured as a direct result of crime who require assistance to perform daily functions and a death benefit reimbursement for funeral costs of victims who died as a result of violent crime.

Serious Injury Benefit Application Form
Death Benefit Application Form

Victims of crime can also apply for financial assistance to help with emergency safety and security expenses, court attendance expenses, as well as access to psychological supports for injuries suffered from the crime and must be received within 45 days of the incident.

• Emergency Crime Victim Assistance  - financial assistance following a violent crime to assist with safety and security-related losses and damages
• Court Attendance Expense Reimbursement - for expenses related to court attendance for specified events, such as sentencing or providing a victim impact statement.
• Counselling - Immediate access to short-term supports to assist in dealing with the psychological impacts related to specified Criminal Code offences.

Emergency Crime Victim Assistance Application

Court Attendance Expense Reimbursement Application

Counselling Program Application

Victim Impact Statement

Victims of crime are entitled to submit a Victim Impact Statement.  It is an opportunity to communicate to the court how this crime has affected their life and to describe any physical or emotional impact that has been experienced as a result.  If you plan to complete a Victim Impact Statement you must notify the Victim Assistance Unit office as soon as possible. 

Victim Impact Statement

Victim Impact Statement Brochure

Restitution Recovery Program

If you have lost money, property, or had extra expenses as a result of this crime you may apply for restitution.  It is important to return the Request for Restitution to police quickly so that the court may consider it if the accused person is found guilty and convicted.

Restitution Statement

Restitution Brochure

Community Impact Statement

A community impact statement is a chance to let the judge know how your community has been hurt because of a crime and can be submitted on behalf of a community by one community representative.

Community Impact Statement Brochure

Community Impact Statement

The traffic safety focus for the month of June is Commercial Vehicle Safety.

Commercial vehicles play an important role in moving goods around the province and across its borders. These vehicles are larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, so other drivers and road users should exercise caution and patience when sharing the road with them. Commercial vehicles have large blind spots, take longer to stop than smaller vehicles, and require a wide turning radius. Make sure to give them plenty of room on the road.

Facts about commercial vehicles:

• In 2023, commercial made up 3.0 per cent of the total vehicles involved in casualty collisions, but 7.2 per cent of the vehicles in fatal collisions.
• In 2023, there were 24 people killed and 126 major injuries in collisions involving commercial vehicles. This represents a decrease in fatalities and major injuries from 2022.
• The most common driving errors on the part of the truck tractor driver in casualty collisions were running off the road and following too closely (2023).
• Truck-tractor drivers are more likely than other drivers in casualty collisions to be fatigued or asleep at the time of the collision (2019 -2023).
• In 2024, Sheriff Highway Patrol completed 9,760 commercial vehicle and/or driver inspections.

Why report my incident online?

Online reporting is a convenient reporting option that can provide you with a copy of the police report and a police file number.  Your incident is eligible for reporting online if:

• The incident occurred within the city of Medicine Hat
  The loss or damage reported is under $5,000; and
  
• There are no known suspects

What if the incident did not occur within the city of Medicine Hat?

If the incident did not occur within the city of Medicine Hat then you should report the incident to the local police agency for the jurisdiction where it occurred.

What is a known suspect?

A known suspect is when you or someone else knows the person or knows where to find the person who committed the crime. Examples include; knowing the person’s name or the license plate number of the vehicle the suspect was in. If you have a known suspect involved in your incident, please call 403-529-8481 to file your report.

What if I have a suspect description?

A "suspect description" or CCTV footage, is not considered a "known suspect". A suspect description can be included in the incident description when entering an online report, assuming the incident fulfills the other online reporting criteria.

What happens if I find something left behind by the suspect?

Items that are left behind by the suspect may help to identify him/her. If there is evidence, do not file a report online. Call 403-529-8481 to report this incident.

What if I require a police file number for insurance purposes?

You will receive an unofficial copy of your report as well as a temporary file number when you submit your online report. Your report will be reviewed by a police officer within 24 hours. Once it is confirmed that your online report meets the online report criteria, an official report and Medicine Hat Police Service file number will be emailed to you. Only the official file number can be used for insurance purposes.

What do I do if my incident does not qualify for online reporting?

Some incidents require more information to be gathered including having an officer to be dispatched to the crime scene to conduct an investigation or others require interaction with an officer over the phone or at a police station. These incidents cannot be reported via online reporting.  If your incident does not meet the criteria for online reporting please call 403-529-8481 to speak to an officer.

Why can't I report a motor vehicle collision online?

Due to the complexity of data that needs to be gathered and the need to verify collision details, most vehicle collisions require the attention of an officer or a Collision Reporting Center agent. Please call 403-529-8481 to speak to an officer.

What happens to my report after I have submitted it?

Your report will be reviewed by a police officer within 24 hours. You may be contacted for additional information and you will receive an email explaining the status of your report. Once approved, your report will be transferred to the Medicine Hat Police Service Records Management System to undergo standard investigative and analytical processes. Your report will be retained as per the Medicine Hat Police Service retention policy.

What do you do with my personal information?

The personal information in this online report will be collected, used and disclosed for the purposes outlined in Sections 33 to 43 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPP) Act and other legal requirements where they are consistent with the FOIPP Act. If you have any questions regarding the collection of information, contact the Medicine Hat Police Service, Information Coordinator, 884 2 ST SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8H2.