MHPS chief Mike Worden speaks about the upcoming Polar Plunge. (CHAT News Photo/Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

To be hosed down by firefighters

Police ready for Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

Mar 4, 2021 | 1:41 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Five members of the Medicine Hat Police Service are thrilled to be chilled next Saturday.

The annual Polar Plunge is a fundraiser for Special Olympics Alberta. It usually takes place with lots of fanfare and a big crowd at the pond near the Family Leisure Centre.

It’s gone virtual this year with participants doing their own version of a plunge between Jan. 31 and March 13.

Chief Mike Worden, inspectors Brent Secondiak, Joe West and Tim McGough, along with constable Teagan Lambert will make their way to one of the fire stations in the city where firefighters will turn the hoses on the officers.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

12h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

“We can’t jump in the river so we thought that would be a lot of fun. There’s always been a good rivalry between fire and police and we thought that would be good fun to have them join us and be able to spray us down,” says chief Worden. “I don’t know what that’s going to look like, to be honest with you. The pressure that comes out of the hoses I guess they’re going to be able to control that so that’ll be up to them.

It’s of course a friendly rivalry between police and fire, and chief Worden says fire services were eager to help.

“We joke about the rivalry but it really is a great partnership and work side-by-side on so many different situations and calls and they jumped at the chance to help us out here.”

Chief Worden is participating in his first Polar Plunge. Before coming to Medicine Hat he was with the Calgary Police Service where the highest-ranking members took part.

Looking to get himself out into the community more and a longtime supporter of Special Olympics, the Polar Plunge is a perfect opportunity for both.

He said raising money for local athletes to attend events and future Special Olympics and support them through some of their training is a win-win for everyone.

Another friendly rivalry is among the officers doing the fundraising.

Insp. Secondiak leads with $700 raised; chief Worden is next with $475 raised.

“Inspector Secodiak has a huge following here in Medicine Hat which is awesome. We haven’t talked about that rivalry between the two of us but what we can do to raise money. Really the important thing is if we can raise enough money and share it with the athletes. That our main goal.”

You can donate to the MHPS “Cop-sicles” team here.