‘Mulder Ties’ program putting young victims of crime at ease

“He’s just able to bring the tension in the room down like you can’t even imagine,” said Stober. “And until you’ve actually seen it, it’s hard to even explain what Mulder can do.”

One of Mulder’s main duties over the last few years has been with children testifying in court, helping over 150 people so far this year.

However, Stober noticed that many kids were still quite anxious even with the black lab at their feet.

“Rather than just colouring pictures, I decided that there must be something else we can do to actually do something a bit more concrete or substantial than a piece of paper,” she said.

Last month, Stober created the ‘Mulder Ties’ initiative, where kids waiting to testify can colour blank ties to relax, which they then gift to Mulder afterwards.

Stober said it’s a program that both the kids and Mulder are making the most of.

“He loves all the attention and wears his ties with pride as he wanders around here,” she said.

Insp. Tim McGough oversees the Victims Assistance Unit and said Mulder has been an invaluable resource for young people affected by crime.

“Nobody every feels totally comfortable in the criminal justice system,” said McGough. “But, when they go to court it allows them to say their story with a level of comfort and support that Mulder gives.”

McGough added that level of comfort is a big help to police during criminal cases, as they’re able to get better testimony from someone who isn’t battling nerves.

“It’s really important that when somebody is giving their evidence in court, or prior to giving their evidence in court, that the anxiety level is brought down in order that they give the best evidence,” he said.”

Since his introducing to policing in 2016, Mulder has been connected with multiple community groups including the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society, who he visits every week.

Executive director Natasha Carvalho supports the new initiative, which she said fills a major need in the community.

“Family violence, sexual assault, all those things we’re dealing with [create] so much trauma for people, and they just need to heal and need the support as best as they can,” said Carvalho.

Since being launched close to a month ago, Mulder has received seven ties from local children and has had a handful of offers since Medicine Hat Police went public with ‘Mulder Ties.’

McGough said he’s proud to see staff like Stober wanting to make the system as painless as possible for the most vulnerable of victims.

“It really raises not just the profile of Mulder and the Victims Services Unit, but as a police service as a whole and what we can do to assist victims of crime,” he said.

Echoing similar thoughts, Stober said creating these initiatives makes the job worthwhile.

“I get enjoyment out of knowing I’ve made a difference in someone else’s life,” she said. “So, for me it just sort of cements that we’re doing the right thing by making anything more comfortable for these folks that have to go through this.”

Needing to raise money for things like Mulder’s food and vet bills, Medicine Hat Police is hoping in the coming months to establish Mulder’s unit as a society.

by Scott Roblin

‘Mulder Ties’ program putting young victims of crime at ease

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