The Rotary Club welcomed our new Medicine Hat Police Service Chief, Alan Murphy to the meeting today. Chief Murphy was introduced by Rotarian Brent Secondiak, who also happens to be a member of the MH Police Service.
Chief Murphy was originally from our most easterly province, NFLD & Labrador and although he still has family "on the rock", he's been an Albertan for a long time.
The Chief was with the Edmonton Police Service for 27 years, the last 4 as deputy chief and has a well rounded background in law enforcement. He came to Medicine Hat last year as Interim Chief, and really enjoyed the community and a smaller center to work in.
Chief Murphy spoke about the trends, both good and bad, concerning crime in our community. He drew parallel's to larger centers and showed why some issues are present everywhere, and some are unique to a particular location. He spoke about the impact that the COVID pandemic had on policing, on community mental health and those suffering with addiction issues and how even as the pandemic is in our rear view mirror, it has had lasting impacts.
The Chief was asked a wide variety of questions by those present and provided great answers. The members of the club are grateful for the professionalism and the service of our Police Department, and wish Chief Murphy a success stint as the "top cop" in MH.
Chief Murphy was thanked for his presentation by PE Bruce Shepard and presented with a Rotary mug.
