Medicine Hat is requesting Alberta funding for its police service. Pcheruvi/Dreamstime.com

By Eli J. Ridder

CITY HALL

City of Medicine Hat to ask Alberta for more police funding

Jun 3, 2024 | 7:45 PM

The City of Medicine Hat will ask the Alberta government for funding to hire two additional police officers after seeing other communities receive provincial support.

In a letter addressed to the public safety minister and approved by council Monday, the city points out a disparity in provincial funding between the Medicine Hat Police Service and its counterparts in Calgary, Edmonton and Coaldale.

Medicine Hat has experienced similar challenges the other cities have, including homelessness, drug addiction, and mental health issues impacting public safety, the city writes in its letter.

Chief Alan Murphy, speaking to council after earlier approval by the police commission, said more officers are needed to manage rising costs and service demands for community safety.

“We’ve seen a similar proportion of issues in our city related to mental health and addictions,” Murphy said.

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Police Chief Alan Murphy addresses city council on June 3, 2024. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

Just because the other cities are larger, it doesn’t mean that Medicine Hat isn’t facing the same types of issues, the chief said while answering questions from council.

In August and September of last year additional police officers were added to the Downtown Patrol Unit, but in different shifts and by utilizing overtime pay, Murphy said.

The police service made the move discreetly to see if there was a positive impact.

“What we heard back from the business owners was comments to us saying ‘we don’t know what you’re doing, but we can see a difference’,” Murphy said.

“Asking for two officers doesn’t sound like much but it’s proportionate to the size of our city we have and according to what the other cities have received,” the chief added.

“So, we asked for support of council to advocate to the provincial government…on our behalf.”

In a community safety survey that ran in fall 2023 found that Medicine Hat residents reported a seven per cent decrease in the feeling of safety since 2021, with a significant increase in feeling uncomfortable downtown at 29 per cent and the “Flats” at 54 per cent.

Despite receiving a fixed amount since 2018, the city’s population has grown, and policing costs have increased, the city said in the letter.

Council approved the letter, dated June 4, unanimously.