Medicine Hat Police Service takes possession of new drone

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on April 17, 2025.

Members of the Medicine Hat Police Commission were told the service has taken possession of a new operational commercial grade drone designed for various law enforcement applications during a public meeting Wednesday evening.

The Medicine Hat Police Service launched the new DJI Matrice 30 Series drone last month that is equipped with multiple cameras as well as a thermal camera. The unmanned aerial vehicle is also weather-resistant and is built to work in extreme cold and hot conditions.

The new drone also boasts increased battery life and utilizes a large-style remote controller to allow smooth flying.

“It’s much easier to control for our members for a variety of different events throughout the city that we need it for,” said Insp. Jason Graham. “We’re very happy to have it, the drone unit is over-the-moon to take possession.”

The DJI Matrice 30 Series is also designed with several safety features including sensors to detect nearby obstacles and warnings for nearby aircraft. Police say the new drone is ideal for public safety but can also be used for infrastructure inspections and other critical missions.

The cost for the new drone was approved in the 2024 Budget.

Calls for service increase as weather warms

Last month police responded to more than 500 more calls for service than the previous month, and that number is expected to rise as summer approaches.

In March police responded to more than 2,670 calls for service, up from more than 2,160 in February.

Insp. Graham says the service typically begins to experience more calls as the snow melts.

“There’s nothing out of the norm here, given the warm weather and more traffic out and about, more people are calling in, it’s quite normal for this time of year.”

In March, mischief, residential break-and-enter and shoplifting calls spiked compared to February, as well as thefts from motor vehicles and detached garages.

Police reported 67 theft calls, 59 mischief calls and 53 shoplifting calls. Additionally officers responded to 11 residential break-and-enter calls and 13 thefts from detached garages last month.

Police also responded to more than 90 mental health calls in March and its K-9 unit was sent to 14 calls for service.