MHPS Downtown Patrol Unit receives Alberta Community Justice Award
MHPS Downtown Patrol Unit receives Alberta Community Justice Award
The awards are presented every two years by the ministries of Justice and Public Safety and Emergency Services. They recognize individuals, teams and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to community justice, public safety and emergency management.
The MHPS Downtown Patrol Unit was nominated by the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce in the Responding to and Preventing Crime and Violence category. The nomination recognized the unit’s community-focused approach to crime prevention and public safety in Medicine Hat’s downtown core. The unit has strengthened community trust, supported vulnerable individuals, and enhanced safety and resilience for residents, businesses and visitors.
The unit was formed in 2020 to address public behaviour concerns and improve feelings of safety among residents and businesses in the area. Over the past six years, the unit and its patrol area have expanded, but its core goals of enhancing safety and building relationships within the downtown community have remained central to its work. The award is especially meaningful because the unit was nominated by the local business community.
Accepting the award on behalf of MHPS were Sgt. Brian Bohrn, Cst. Lisa Gervais, Cst. Keegan Clarke, Cst. Mitch Young and Cst. Tyler Stuber, along with Chief Al Murphy and Deputy Chief Raj Saini. Sgt. Bohrn has been a member of the unit since its inception and has played a significant role in its success.
Congratulations to all members of the Downtown Patrol Unit on this well-deserved recognition."
Media Contact:
Rita Sittler, Business Services Manager
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416
Medicine Hat Police Service online article: https://www.mhps.ca/posts/post/71311
The Medicine Hat Police Service Downtown Patrol Unit (DPU) demonstrates meaningful impact and excellence in strengthening community safety, resilience, and trust within the City of Medicine Hat's downtown core. Since its establishment in 2020, the unit has played a critical role in addressing public behaviour concerns while enhancing the overall sense of safety for residents, visitors, and businesses operating in the downtown area.
The Downtown Patrol Unit exemplifies innovation by integrating traditional enforcement with a progressive, community-based policing model. Rather than relying solely on reactive measures, the DPU emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and relationship-building. Officers are trained to balance enforcement of criminal, provincial, and municipal laws with compassionate engagement, including mental health intervention and referrals to community supports. This approach enhances existing policing frameworks by embedding social awareness and problem-solving directly into frontline operations.
Partnership development is central to the unit’s effectiveness. The DPU works closely with social service agencies, local organizations, and health-focused teams such as addiction crisis support services to ensure coordinated responses to complex community challenges. By sharing information and collaborating on solutions, these partnerships improve access to services and reduce repeat interactions with law enforcement. Additionally, strong relationships with business owners and community members enable early identification of issues and more effective, community-driven solutions.
We are proud of our Medicine Hat Police Service, with the Downtown Patrol Unit, PACT and PEACE teams that have contributed to an overall positive and proactive approach to community safety and crime prevention. Overall, the Downtown Patrol Unit provides significant value to Medicine Hat by bridging enforcement with empathy, visibility with trust, and safety with inclusivity. Their work contributes not only to crime reduction, but also to a stronger sense of belonging and shared responsibility within the downtown core. Through consistency, collaboration, and innovation, the unit has become a cornerstone of community safety and a model for modern, relationship-centered policing. It is truly a model that can and should be replicated in communities across our province.