By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on February 4, 2026.
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com David Baby, 52, from Bassano has been charged following a “brief scuffle” with Mounties last week. On Jan. 28, RCMP responded to a report of a disturbance in a local business, and upon arriving on scene were met by Baby who was intoxicated and standing in the middle of the road after creating a disturbance in the business and refusing to leave. Baby was arrested for mischief and during the arrest reportedly became combative with the responding officer and was eventually taken into custody after a brief scuffle, then brought to a holding cell for a Judicial Interim Bail Hearing. Baby has been charged with assault on a police officer and resisting and obstructing a peace officer, and was held until his court appearance Monday. Bassano officers respond to fewer calls in 2025 than previous year In 2025, the Bassano RCMP Detachment, which serves the communities of Bassano, Rosemary, Gem and Hussar, as well as areas in the County of Newell, responded to 756 total calls. The number is a decrease of 12 per cent from 2024, according to police, who also say they observed a “significant” decrease in motor vehicle collisions, down 39 per cent from the previous year. Bassano Mounties completed more than 1,300 proactive patrols and participated in 23 community events in 2025, as well as giving more than 60 presentations at schools within the service area. 10