The Medicine Hat Police Service is nearly at full staffing levels. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

POLICE

Medicine Hat police won’t lower standards despite low recruitment numbers, chief says

May 27, 2024 | 5:44 PM

The Medicine Hat Police Service will continue to prioritize quality candidates despite a recruiting shortage Police Chief Alan Murphy said Monday does not raise staffing concerns.

“I’m not worried, we are just about fully staffed,”‘ Murphy said from in front of the police headquarters.

The police force has about 111 officers out of a provincially-approved maximum staffing goal of 113, a police spokesperson said.

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Police have held its six-month training sessions annually for several years now in an attempt to grow its numbers and keep it staffed amid lower-than-average applicant numbers.

Chief Alan Murphy says he won’t let standards be lowered. Kevin Kyle/CHAT News

Even with upcoming retirements in the force, including Insp. Brent Secondiak, the chief said he won’t lower the bar.

“I don’t want to see us change our standards because the number of applicants are getting lower,” Murphy said.

“We’re going to continue to look for the best people to be police officers in the community,” he added.

“That’s why I encourage people to keep applying; the right people, too. I think that’s important. But I am not concerned at this point.”