ARTICLES

If you were arrested, fingerprinted, photographed and charged with a crime that did not result in a conviction in Court, you can ask that the identification documents relating to your criminal record history be destroyed.  Making a request does not guarantee that the records will be destroyed, but it allows for the review and consideration of the destruction of records held by MHPS.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to make this request, the following conditions must be met:

• Must be an adult (18 years of age or older at date of arrest
• Cannot have any criminal convictions (no criminal record)
• Cannot have any outstanding/pending charges before the Courts
• Must not be the subject of interest by any other law enforcement agency
• The subject (alleged) offence cannot be listed as a primary designated offence as defined in section 487.04 of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46.  Secondary designated offences will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Mandatory Waiting Periods

• Prints taken for elimination purposes - no waiting period
• No charge was sworn and no other court proceedings - 1 year after fingerprint date
• Charge was withdrawn, stayed by Crown, quashed, or dismissed with no other associated disposition:  1 year after disposition date
• Charge was withdrawn, stayed by Crown, quashed or dismissed because of:
• Guilty plea to non-criminal charge - 1 year from plea entry date
• Peace Bond - 1 year after expiry of Peace Bond
• Alternate Measures or special Court programs - 1 year after successful completion of program
• Charge was stayed by the Court with no other associated disposition - 1 year from disposition
• Found not guilty by Court - 1 year from disposition
• Found not guilty by Court following an appeal - 1 year after conclusion of appeals or proceedings
• Absolute Discharge - 1 year after disposition
• Conditional Discharge - 3 years after disposition
• Not criminally responsible - 5 years after disposition

Making a Request - Expand the options below. 

A record suspension (formerly known as a "pardon") allows people who were convicted of a criminal offence, but have completed their sentence and demonstrated that they are law-abiding citizens for a prescribed number of years, to have their criminal record kept sealed and separate from other criminal records. 

The Parole Board of Canada is the official and only federal agency responsible for ordering, refusing to order and revoking record suspensions for convictions under federal acts or other regulations of Canada.

The Government of Canada has made the process affordable and simple enough for anyone to apply without the assistance of any third party.  To view the steps and eligibility requirements, go to Applying for a record suspension.  You can also access a printable guide here. 

Step #4 of the application process is to obtain a local police record check ("LPRC").  You must obtain an LPRC from every police jurisdiction in which you have lived in the past five (5) years.  This is NOT the same as a Police Information Check (PIC or PIC with vulnerable sector screening), typically used for employment or volunteer purposes.  If you require a PIC/PIC-VS, click here: MHPS PIC

Applying for a Local Police Record Check

All LPRC applications are submitted using our online platform, just like our regular Police Information Checks.  Click the link below to get started.  You must apply yourself - a third party individual or company cannot complete the consents and ID verification for you.

Fees and Payment

The fee for this application is $75.00 and can be paid during the online process by credit card or some debit cards.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you require an LPRC for a Record Suspension.  We will not issue refunds for applications made in error.

Processing Times

LPRC requests are processed in the order they are received and deemed to be in good order.   Expect processing to take approximately 90 full business days - this is subject to change without notice, pending the volume of requests received.  You will receive an email advising that your LPRC is ready for pick up in person (for local applicants) or that it has been mailed (for out of town applicants).

More Information

For more information regarding record suspensions (pardons), you can contact the Parole Board at:

      Clemency and Record Suspension Division

      Parole Board of Canada

      410 Laurier Avenue West, 5th Floor

      Ottawa, Ontario   K1A 0R1

Toll-free Phone:  1-800-874-2652

Email:  suspension@pbc-clcc.gc.ca

For further assistance from MHPS regarding record suspensions, please email police.info@mhps.ca.

A Certified Criminal Record Check (CCRC) is a search conducted by the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) to search for any criminal record that may exist for any name and fingerprint combination for convictions occurring anywhere within Canada.  A Certified document is issued for submission to any requesting agency that may require the information.

*These are not to be confused with the fingerprints required as part of Vulnerable Sector screening for Police Information Checks (PIC-VS).  For information about VS fingerprints, click here.

Fingerprint Requirements

Certified Criminal Record Checks are checks done using your fingerprints rather than your name and other demographic information.  These are considered "non-criminal fingerprints" or "civil fingerprints" and are not taken for criminal charges or proceedings.  These checks are done by taking an electronic scan of your fingerprints and submitting them to the RCMP National Repository in Ottawa to provide a report of any/all convictions that have been linked directly to your fingerprints. 

They are required for various processes including (but not limited to) applications for:

• Citizenship
• Immigration (Landed Immigrant Status)
• Legal name changes
• Record Suspensions (previously called a "pardon")
• US Travel Waivers

We also offer hard copy Ink & Paper fingerprinting services for purposes such as Criminal Record Checks in other countries, including (but not limited to):

• Passport renewal
• Immigration Police Clearance Checks (PCC)

Fingerprint Process

All Non-Criminal Fingerprinting is done by appointment only on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  To book an appointment, please email scott.schall@mhps.ca or phone (403) 529-8455.

At your appointment, you must provide the following:

• One piece of government issued photo ID. It must include your name and date of birth.  Social Insurance cards or temporary drivers licenses will not be accepted.  Proof of address may be required as your results will be mailed to you directly.

Once you receive the certified report from the RCMP, it is your responsibility to submit it to the requesting agency.

Fees and Payment

All fingerprints for civil purposes are subject to the following fees:

• Electronic fingerprinting - $75.00   ($25 RCMP fee and $50 MHPS fee)
• Hard copy fingerprinting (ink sets) - $50

Processing Time

Results can take 2-3 weeks to reach your residence by mail, but these times are outside the control of MHPS and may vary. 

Medicine Hat Police Service offers an online process for Police Information Checks.  You can now apply any time and receive your .pdf results directly via email download link.

Are you an employer who reimburses your employees or volunteers for their Police Information Checks?  Contact us to learn more about our VOUCHER ACCOUNTS at .

To begin your online application, click the link below:

If you reside outside Canada, please email pic@mhps.ca for application instructions.

For Local Police Record Check (part of Record Suspension application) click here.

About Police Information Checks

** For specific information regarding Vulnerable Sector screening, scroll to the next section **

A Police Information Check (PIC) is more than a Canadian Criminal Record Check (or Certified Criminal Record Check).  A PIC involves searches of three distinct databases including:

• CPIC - the Canadian Police Information Centre system and RCMP National repository in Ottawa
• JOIN - the Justice Online Information Network (the Alberta Court system)
• Verasadex RMS - the local Police records database that contains records of involvement with the Medicine Hat Police Service

What information may be disclosed?

• Canada-wide Criminal Record history (Adult and Youth convictions if applicable)
• Pending and outstanding charges
• Outstanding warrants for arrest Canada-wide
• Active/current Judicial Orders (probation, prohibitions, peace bonds, etc)
• Police history or files - this may include any interactions an individual has had with Police, including mental health occurrences, if they are deemed to be relevant. 

*A relevant occurrence may not have resulted in charges being laid or in criminal conviction, but may be disclosed if relevant to the position being sought or if there is a potential risk to public safety (as a non-conviction disclosure).

• Vulnerable Sector Records (pardoned sex offender)
• Absolute Discharge, Stay of Proceedings, and/or Alternative Measures dispositions (for 1 year after sentence date)
• Conditional Discharge (for 3 years after sentence date)

The Alberta Police Information Check Disclosure Procedures is utilized by Police agencies across the Province to standardize processing PIC applications.  It outlines the processes and disclosure guidelines we use here at MHPS.

Vulnerable Sector Screening (PIC with VS Check)

A Police Information Check that includes Vulnerable Sector (VS) screening is an enhanced PIC used to protect children and other vulnerable persons and is governed by the Criminal Records Act. 

VS screening is used to verify if an individual has received a Record Suspension (formerly known as a Pardon) for a sexual offence conviction, and if an individual has had any relevant involvement with Police.  Individuals entering or in a role in which they are or will be in a position of trust and/or authority over vulnerable persons will likely be required to obtain this screening. 

Vulnerable persons include:

• Children
• Elderly
• Individuals with disabilities
• Other person dependent on others or who is at greater risk for victimization than the general population

Please Note:  A position of trust or authority is more than having contact with children or vulnerable persons.  The nature of the position (the job description) must cause the person to have authority over, or the trust of, children or vulnerable persons.  Positions with occasional contact may still require VS screening if the nature of the position leads children or vulnerable persons to have trust in the individual. 

It is the responsibility of the organization or the person responsible for the vulnerable person(s) to request that VS screening be completed.  If you are unsure if you require VS screening, please consult with your employer, educational institution, or volunteer organization.

MHPS is responsible for ensuring that the position responsibilities meet the above requirements and may refuse to conduct VS screening if that threshold is not met, regardless of the requesting organization's internal policies.  Because the Record Suspension (or Pardoned) conviction information is sealed, it is unlawful for us to conduct these queries without just cause. 

MHPS will only conduct Vulnerable Sector screening for individuals currently residing in the City of Medicine Hat.  You will be required to show proof of residence in the form of valid government-issued ID with a Medicine Hat address, including but not limited to the following documents:

• Recent mailed utility or telephone bill
• Property rental agreements (fixed term)
• Recent mailed bank statement
• Other documentation on approval of PIC Specialist. 

**We reserve the right to accept or refuse any documentation to be used as proof of residency. We will not accept printed copies, screenshots, etc.**

Results of Vulnerable Sector Screening

VS searches are conducted using your basic demographic information.  This information is used to locate any potential match with anyone who has received a Record Suspension for a sexual offence.  A potential match may be someone who shares the same date of birth and gender as you, but cannot be verified on that criteria alone.  You may be notified that fingerprints are required to determine status.  A request for fingerprints does not suggest that you are the subject of a pardon for a sexual offence, it means the results are inconclusive based on your demographic information search against the pardoned sex offender database.

Applying for a Police Information Check

Expand the option below for specific instructions on submitting a personal information requests. 

Now Hiring – Experienced Police Officers

Join the Medicine Hat Police Service

The Medicine Hat Police Service is seeking qualified, experienced police officers to join our team and serve our vibrant community. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced officers looking to continue their policing career in a progressive, community-focused service.

Why Choose MHPS?
Medicine Hat offers an outstanding quality of life with affordable housing, a lower cost of living, and a supportive, close-knit community. The Medicine Hat Police Service is committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment, ongoing professional development, and modern policing resources to help you succeed.

Relocation Incentive
To support your move, MHPS offers up to a $5,000 relocation allowance upon submission of receipts, with a minimum two-year service commitment.

Who We’re Looking For
We are recruiting officers with previous policing experience who:

• Have a proven record of professionalism, integrity, and community service.
• Are adaptable, motivated, and committed to the values of trust, respect, integrity, and accountability.
• Meet the lateral entry requirements for Alberta policing.

How to Apply
For application details, required qualifications, and lateral entry information click HERE

If you have additional questions email our Recruitment Team at recruiting@mhps.ca

Be part of a service that values both its members and its community. Your experience can make a difference here.

Moving to Medicine Hat

To learn more about our community visit: Tourism Medicine Hat 

When driving in the closest lane to any stopped roadside vehicle with flashing lights activated, such as police, ambulances, fire trucks, tow trucks and maintenance trucks, including those in construction zones:

• you must move over to the far lane to give workers extra space

• if you can't safely move over, you must slow to at least 60 km/h, or the posted speed limit (whichever is lower)

Actions to take on a single lane highway:

Actions to take on a double lane highway:

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) receives hundreds of information requests each year.  These requests are sorted by type:  Routine Record Requests and formal Access to Information Requests. 

There are separate application forms and fees for each type of request.  The following guide will help you determine which type of request you will need to submit. 

PLEASE NOTE:   

*All 911 recordings and CAD information can only be obtained by submitting a formal Access Request to the City of Medicine Hat 

** The Medicine Hat Police Commission is considered a separate public body and has jurisdiction over its own records.   All requests for Commission records must be made through the Police Commission directly

Medicine Hat Police Service has made certain records available outside of the formal Access to Information request as permitted by the Access to Information Act ("ATIA").  The following guide explains the qualifying records and application process.

Types of Files Processed: 

Case Summary from specified category of minor property occurrence - $50.00 (incl GST) per occurance

• Lost or Stolen Property                                            - Mischief 
• Theft from Auto                                                        - Break & Enter - no suspect identified 
• Stolen / Recovered Auto                                          - Full AB Collision Rpt & Statements (with consent) 

Production of qualifying multimedia files - $65.00 (incl GST) per media file

• Audio/Video 
• Photos 

Available free of charge:

• Your own witness statement 
• The "Driver's Copy" of the AB Collision Rpt.  Self Serve your copy via GOA Online Collision

How to Make a Routine Request

Accepted Payment 

• Cash (not recommended for mailed requests)                                               
• Debit (in person)                           
• Cheque                            
• Money Order 

                                      ** Please make all cheques payable to Medicine Hat Police Service ** 

Processing Times 

Our goal is to process all Routine Requests within 4 weeks of receipt and approval.  This is subject to change without notice and may vary due to the volume of requests received. 

Please be aware that, due to the volume of requests received, the Office of the Information Coordinator will not respond to any status update requests during the processing time period.  

Contact Info 
 
For further assistance, please email the Office of the Information Coordinator at police.info@mhps.ca.  

Access Request for Information 

The MHPS Office of the Police Information Coordinator works to ensure compliance with the Alberta's Access to Information Act ("ATIA"), which replaced the former Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ("FOIP") on June 11th, 2025.  This legislation is a provincial Act that applies to all public bodies in the province of Alberta.

It establishes that members of the public should have: 

• A right of access to records held by a public body, subject to limited and specific exceptions 
• A right of access to one's own personal information held by a public body, subject to limited and specific exceptions 
• A right to request the correction of one's own personal information held by a public body 
• The protection of personal information held by a public body 
• Independent review of a public body's decisions by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner 

This means anyone has a right to ask for any information held by MHPS, who must then collect responsive records and determine if you are entitled to receive them.  MHPS also has a duty to protect any personal information we collect and any member of the public may request an independent review of MHPS' decisions related to the collection, use, and disclosure of that information. 

An Access Request made under the ATIA provides a formal method for requesting records held by MHPS.  It is intended to be an avenue of last resort, used when information is not available through other request procedures. 

Making an Access Request  

The process for making an Access Request under ATIA will depend on whether you are wanting to make a request for: 

• Personal Information 
• General Information 
• A Correction to Personal Information 

In all cases, requests must be made in writing.  While MHPS will accept any written request for records, it is recommended that the appropriate form for each type of request be used.  This ensures that MHPS receives all the required information necessary to complete your request in the most effective, efficient manner and avoid any delays due to missing or unclear information. 

Personal Information Requests 

A Personal Request is a request for access to a record of your own personal information or the personal information of a person you are legally authorized to represent.  Personal Information is generally defined as information that identifies a person or is about a person. See section 1(r) of ATIA for a more detailed description of Personal Information.  

Please Note: An MHPS file in which you were involved is not considered your personal information in its entirety.  Instead, it contains your personal information.  By choosing Personal Information and requesting a Police occurrence, you will only receive your personal information from within that file and all else will be considered outside the scope of your request.  If you wish to receive additional file information that does not directly contain your personal information you will be required to make a General Information Request.

 MHPS will not release any personal information about your family, friends, neighbours, or associates without their written and signed authorization. 

Expand the option below for specific instructions on submitting a personal information requests. 

General Information Requests 

A General Information Request is a request for non-personal information.  This includes information within MHPS occurrence reports that is not your own recorded personal information or that of someone you are authorized to represent.  Requests for general information can also be topical in nature and relate to organizational operations that do not contain personal information, such as statistics or MHPS policy.   

An initial fee of $25 is required when submitting a General Request and must be received before processing will begin. 

Correction of Personal Information Request 

If you believe there is an error or omission in a record containing your personal information held by MHPS, you may request that we correct the information. 

Please Note:  This is not to be used in instances where you disagree with or wish to dispute police investigations concerning yourself, charges laid, or allegations made against you or by you.   

Fee Information 

All applicable fees are charged in accordance with section 96 ATIA as well as section 15 of the ATIA Regulations.

All fees must be paid before a request is processed. 

Accepted Forms of Payment  

Requests made in-person:  Cash, cheque, or debit 

Requests made via mail: Cheque or money order  

*All cheques or money orders must be made payable to "Medicine Hat Police Service" 

Exceptions to Disclosure 

ATIA outlines a number of reasons access to information held by MHPS may be denied or only partially granted.  This could appear as a redaction, severing the withheld information from the information being released, or may be otherwise removed from a release.  All vetting will be explained to you in writing. 

The following are some examples of exceptions:   

• Request for information, not records:  ATIA establishes a right of access to records, not information.  MHPS is under no obligation to compile information that does not exist as a record. 
  
• Ongoing Prosecution:  These records are not within the scope of ATIA and MHPS will not provide any records that relate to any criminal matter that is before the Courts at the time of the request.
   
• Third Party Personal Information:  Someone else's personal information is considered "third party".  MHPS will not release personal information about your family, friends, neighbours, or anyone else to you without their written authorization.  MHPS will neither confirm nor deny the existence of information that relates to someone else if the request is specifically for information about another person or persons, as per section 14(2) ATIA.
   
• Ongoing or Unsolved Investigations:  Information that could harm an ongoing or unsolved investigation, including Professional Standards investigations will not be released.
   
• Harm to Others:  Information that could be used to harm a member of the public or members of the Medicine Hat Police Service.
   
• Information Obtained from Other Agencies:  Any information that originated with or is held by another agency or public body must be requested from that agency directly.  For example, requests for 911 records must be made to the City of Medicine Hat, medical records must be requested from Alberta Health Services, and information from incidents reported to the RCMP must be requested from the RCMP.  

Please Note:  This is not an exhaustive list.  If you have questions, please email the Office of the Information Coordinator directly at police.info@mhps.ca. 

Processing Times 

Under ATIA, we have up to thirty (30) business days to respond to your request and we may extend that time if the request is particularly complex or involves an extremely large number of records, or if third-party consultation is required.   

MHPS receives multiple requests for records every day.  We recognize that each request is urgent to the applicant requesting it and it is for this reason that we will not expedite the disclosure process to accommodate individual needs, such as court appearances.   

We strive to complete requests in the order in which they are received and as quickly as possible. 

Authority to Disregard Requests

MHPS reserves the right to exercise discretion to disregard an access request pursuant to ATIA if:  

• The request is repetitious or systematic in nature and responding would unreasonably interfere with MHPS operations or amount to an abuse of the right to make a request 
• The request is abusive, threatening, frivolous or vexatious 
• The request is lacking sufficient information to process the request, where there is not enough detail to locate and identify the requested record within a reasonable time and with reasonable effort 
• The request is overly broad or incomprehensible, meaning the request is wider in scope than is normal, necessary, or reasonable; or the request is impossible or extremely difficult to understand 
• The information was previously released, meaning the information has already been provided to the applicant, or if the information is publicly available 

If MHPS makes the decision to disregard an Access Request, you will receive a written notice of the decision within 30 business days.  The notice will advise the reasons for the decision to disregard the request and provide information on your right to request a review by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta.

Resource Information 

Click the following links to access additional information that may be helpful to you regarding Access Requests. 

           The Access to Information Act

           
            REPEALED: The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act 

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner Website  

            ATIA information from the Government of Alberta Website

MHPS Access Request Form

MHPS Authorized Representative Consent Form 

Contact Us 

Email:  police.info@mhps.ca 
Phone:  403-529-8400 select option #9 from the main menu and follow the prompts  
Mailing Address: 
Medicine Hat Police Service 
884 2 St SE 
Medicine Hat, AB  T1A 8H2 

In an effort to remain transparent to our community, the Medicine Hat Police Service would like to provide the public with a clear understanding of any disciplinary hearings that take place within our Service.

Professional Conduct Hearings are held, for a variety of misconduct allegations, under the Police Act and the Police Service Regulation of Alberta. The different kinds of misconduct allegations are described in Section 5 of the Police Service Regulation.

Generally speaking, if a misconduct charge is directed by the Chief to a hearing, there are many different types of appearances that could be scheduled, such as a first appearance, plea, preliminary applications, or reasons for decision.

Not all matters will progress in the same manner. For example, evidence may be presented as an agreed statement of facts in one hearing, but in another, witnesses may have to be called to testify. Sometimes a decision may be given at the end of the presentation of evidence, or the reasons for a decision may be set over to another date. 

Unless otherwise Ordered, Professional Conduct Hearings are open to the public and media. If you wish to attend, please note that no food or drink is allowed in the hearing room. Recording devices and cameras also are not permitted. All hearings are held in the Community Boardroom of the Medicine Hat Police Service building, located at 884 – 2 St SE, unless otherwise posted.

Upcoming Hearings:

There are no upcoming hearing scheduled at this time.

*Please note that the above information is subject to change.