Medicine Hat police are bringing back the deputy police role for the first time since 2016. File Photo/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

Medicine Hat police seeks deputy chief for the first time since 2016

Jul 9, 2024 | 2:00 PM

The Medicine Hat Police Service is now open to applications for a deputy chief role as it brings back a position that has not existed in nearly a decade.

When the last deputy chief Rick Wigle retired in January 2016, the police shifted to having a chief and three inspectors.

The inspectors each lead one of the administrative, operational or support service divisions.

To save money post-pandemic, the police service cut one of the inspector roles and the administrative division.

After two years, it was determined having one less inspector put too much of a strain on the remaining two, a spokesperson told CHAT News on Tuesday.

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A third officer was requested and approved by the police commission and council during the 2023-24 budget process.

It was left up to the chief if the third officer would be an inspector or deputy chief role.

Once Chief Alan Murphy was appointed as the new chief of police, he spent time evaluating the structure of the organization, according to the spokesperson.

Murphy determined that a deputy chief is preferred as it “allows for improved oversight for the service and offers an enhanced opportunity for succession planning for future leadership positions,” the spokesperson added.

One of police inspectors, Brent Secondiak, recently retired, leaving two spots open on the executive team.

It is anticipated the selection of the new deputy chief will occur in early fall and the inspector promotional process will be complete shortly thereafter, the spokesperson said.