Police bump Medicine Hat’s downtown patrol unit back up to three members

In the first two and a half years Constable Jason Van Mulligen, Constable Lori Parasynchuk and Sergeant Bohrn provided the policing services for the downtown core.

In January of 2023 the unit was downsized to only Bohrn due to operational needs and manpower issues within the police service.

Const. Lisa Gervais and Constable Mitchell Young are the newest members to join Sergeant Bohrn doing the downtown patrols.

Gervais, a five year member of the Medicine Hat Police Service joining the downtown patrol unit in September, she notices how important the connection with the vulnerable population can be.

“Sometimes our connection helps connect them with local resources where as with in patrols you don’t necessarily have time to dedicate that with connecting them to the resources and sometimes they aren’t really receptive,” Gervais said.

“If you have that rapport built then it’s a lot easier.”

Young a thirteen year member of the Medicine Hat Police Service began with the downtown patrol unit in August and enjoys the uniqueness of the job compared to other areas he has worked.

“Downtown Patrol unit I’ve noticed it’s a little different, it’s a little bit different style of policing,” Young said.

“We get to interact a lot more with the members of the community, the business owners, the people of the downtown.”

“We get to take our time,” he added.

“A lot of positive interactions so it’s been a nice change and we are out here walking around so we are getting our exercise as well, so it’s been great.”

Lisa Dressler, of the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce, is happy with having the police there.

“Well certainly having police presence downtown has been very beneficial for our business community,” Dressler said.

“Certainly seeing them they are very active in our downtown, and our DPU will actually go into the different businesses just to connect with them to see how they are doing to see if there are any issues that they should be aware of.”

Janelle Hulluh the owner at The Copper Leaf Cafe is happy to have the unit around and said the response is quick.

“They are there shortly after. Or it’s nice when they come around and we can talk to them about what’s been happening,” Hulluh said.

“Again they give us lots of pointers on what we can do and just seeing them around really helps. To know that they are down here, they are already here to help us.”

With the three police officers, the downtown community returns to the same level of service they were used to previously.

by Jesse Gill, Eli J. Ridder

Police bump Medicine Hat’s downtown patrol unit back up to three members

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