MHPS Chief Andy McGrogan in an undated file photo

By Scott Roblin

MHPS Statement

MHPS Chief McGrogan releases statement on Floyd protests

Jun 2, 2020 | 10:18 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat Police Chief Andy McGrogan has put forward his thoughts on the ongoing protests and civil unrest in North America stemming from the death of George Floyd last week.

“I think it was important for us to address our community about how we police and I think acknowledge that there is systemic racism out there and we’re doing all we can,” said McGrogan. “We’re a learning, growing organization and we try our best to follow our core values.”

Floyd was killed on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota after a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck for close to nine minutes during an arrest.

His death has sparked a week of protests and demonstrations in cities across the continent focusing on systemic racism and police brutality against minority groups.

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McGrogan released the following statement through the Medicine Hat Police Service’s social media channels.

“I have served the citizens of Medicine Hat as a police officer for forty years and throughout my career I have always tried to serve with the core values of; integrity, respect, accountability and courage at the centre of my service.

In reflection of the recent tragic events that have occurred in the USA, I am reminded of the precious yet fragile relationship we have with those who entrust us to keep them safe. Sir Robert Peel’s nine principles of policing are a cornerstone and compass to our duties as police officers in a free civilian society. I am reminded of the seventh principle that ‘Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.’

At the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) we have a strong policy, procedure, training, supervision and accountability measures in place. I have always felt that if you hire the right people, train them the right way, encourage adherence to core values and hold people to account, we establish the right culture. The men and women of the MHPS are fully engaged and entrenched within our community. Our members are; coaches, board members, volunteers, fathers, mothers, and neighbours. They are proud to serve this community as their own.

Just this morning I swore in seven new recruits whose progress I have been monitoring over the past several months throughout their training, and I am confident that our future is in very good hands. While I have unfortunately observed a few ‘bad apples’ come and go through my time with this Service, I can tell you that now, due to our focused recruitment efforts, we have excellent officers that are service-minded and committed to keeping all members of our community safe.

It is my pledge that the MHPS will continue to work with our community, to grow and learn from our shared experiences, in an effort to improve on how we can serve and be accountable to all of you who entrust us to help keep you safe.”

McGrogan said it’s important to acknowledge certain groups have been targeted in Canada and wants local officers to be part of the solution.

“I think if we don’t say it we’re fooling ourselves,” he said. “I think we say it and I think that’s the first step in acknowledging it. I think there has been some systemic racism in the past in Canada and probably across North America in relation to our Indigenous folks as well. We’ve been doing a lot of work with the Indigenous community around awareness and learning their culture.”

McGrogan confirmed they have been contacted by a group that is planning to hold a peaceful protest at City Hall on Friday afternoon.

When asked if officers will be encouraged or permitted to take part in the gathering like in other cities in Canada this week, McGrogan said they would.

“I have no problem with our members joining the protest, joining the gathering and being a part of it,” said McGrogan. “I don’t think the protest is about the big, bad police in Medicine Hat as much as it is about the whole picture of racism, the whole picture of how we’re treating each other as human beings.”