CTV News Calgary has reported:

The Medicine Hat Police Service’s downtown patrol unit received an Alberta Community Justice Award in Lethbridge on Oct. 2, recognizing its work responding to and preventing crime and violence. Unit members attended the ceremony late last week to accept the provincial honour.

The province’s event literature described the patrol as taking “a community-focused approach to crime prevention and public safety in Medicine Hat’s downtown core.” It said the unit “has strengthened community trust, supported vulnerable individuals and enhanced safety and resilience for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”

Formed six years ago, the unit was nominated by the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce. The police service said the award was “especially meaningful” because “the unit was nominated by the local business community.”

Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis said the recognition was “deeply deserved” for all winners. “The successes we celebrate today demonstrate what is possible when individuals, teams and organizations work together toward a common goal,” he said.

Justice Minister and Attorney General Mickey Amery thanked all recipients for their dedication. “The recipients recognized today demonstrate that meaningful change often begins at the community level, where practical solutions, compassion and commitment can have a lasting impact on people’s lives,” he said.