MHPS Chief Mike Worden addresses media about a local church who appeared to breach public health orders ( Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

AHS to make enforcement decision on Medicine Hat church

Apr 6, 2021 | 6:55 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- Whether or not to sanction Heights Baptist Church who appeared to breach public health orders on Easter Sunday will be up to Alberta Health Services to decide, not the Medicine Hat Police.

MHPS chief Mike Worden confirmed that Alberta Health Services is the lead agency in charge of the file.

On Easter Sunday dozens of churchgoers attended Heights Baptist Church, many not wearing masks.

MHPS Chief Mike Worden said police were notified by AHS that at least two churches in the city were planning to breach the public health order, after their names were listed on a website pledging to operate church services without restrictions.

Members of the MHPS observed the scene, and collected information on crowd size and adherence to health orders which was then forwarded to Alberta Heath Services, according to the Chief.

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The lead pastor of Heights Baptist Church previously told CHAT News that their decision to defy the public health order was due to their belief that church is an essential service, and their desire to bring hope to the greater community.

The son of a pastor himself, chief Mike Worden’s father was a pastor at Westminster United Church. When asked about the investigation, and if his religious background had any influence, he said eliminating individual bias is necessary as a police officer.

“ For me, you really have to separate the two, so I can’t act on personal bias. I do act on the role that police play, and regulations and laws, so for me, I can’t let that sneak into any decisions that I make,” MHPS chief Mike Worden said.

Worden did however applaud the local churches in the city who have held church services while adhering to the government restrictions in place.

“ The restrictions are there, and if people can abide by them by finding options to abide by them and holding those services, whether they be online, or in-person with the 15 per cent regulations we would strongly encourage that.

As for Heights Baptist Church, it is unclear at this point if any fines or charges will be laid.

A statement sent to CHAT News by Alberta Health Services could only confirm that AHS is working alongside the Medicine Hat Police Service.

But Police Chief Mike Worden said the MHPS is prepared to support AHS with whatever enforcement decision they make.

“ If the province has created regulations, we will follow with our partner AHS, and if they decide that charges are warranted we would support them in that,” he said,