PRC Accepts Jurisdiction in Complaint Against Chief Murphy et al
Inspector West (white shirt) and SSgt Both loom over seated journalist Thomas Fougere. Minutes later, they helped remove him from the building.
Justice grinds slowly. After 19 months - delayed by criminal charges that were later withdrawn - the Police Review Commission has accepted jurisdiction over complaints filed by two Medicine Hat journalists against Chief Murphy and other members of the MHPS.
OWL NEWS - Medicine Hat's Locally Owned Online Broadcaster
The Police Review Commission (PRC) has accepted jurisdiction over complaints filed by two Medicine Hat journalists against Chief Alan Murphy and several officers of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS).
The PRC is a new provincial oversight body that became fully operational on December 1, 2025. It handles complaints against Chiefs of Police and other serious police matters.
The acceptance comes 19 months after the October 8, 2024 incident at the police station, where journalist Thomas Fougere was physically removed from a public meeting and later arrested. The dispute began when Chief Murphy asked Fougere to stop recording about 20 minutes into the meeting. Fougere refused, citing his right to freedom of the press under section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Police asked him to leave; they did not order him to leave. Fougere says he would have obeyed an order, but none was given. Fellow Owl journalist Kelly Allard witnessed the assault and filed a separate complaint.
The delay, critics say, allowed the criminal charges against Fougere to hang over his head for more than a year while memories faded and the police remained in control of some evidence. The Owl has a recording of the entire incident.
Complete Timeline
October 2024
October 8 - Incident at the Medicine Hat Police Station in front of dozens of witnesses, in a building equipped with security cameras under police control. Fougere is physically removed by three police officers and is ultimately arrested and charged.
October 13 - Kelly Allard publishes a public article detailing her PTSD symptoms after witnessing the assault, including flashbacks of Tom's screams and difficulty sleeping.
October 25 - Fougere publishes his submitted detailed complaint online.
October 29 - Allard publishes her submitted detailed complaint online.
December 19 - Medicine Hat Police Commission (MHPC) Chair Paul Carolan acknowledges receipt of complaints, says they are planning to consult with a lawyer.
2025
Early 2025 - The Medicine Hat Police Commission reviews the complaints and hires a lawyer to ensure proper process.
February 10 - Allard is told her complaint is held in abeyance until the associated criminal charges are concluded.
December 1 - The Police Review Commission (PRC) becomes fully operational as Alberta's new independent police oversight body.
December 18 - Both charges against Fougere are withdrawn after he accepts the Crown's offer of an 8-month peace bond.
2026
January to April – Allard and MHPC Chair Carolan exchange multiple communications about the status of the complaint. Carolan acknowledges that the MHPC was not aware the criminal charges had concluded and says it should not be Allard's responsibility to inform them, promises a review of its procedures.
April 6, Allard is told the complaint has been sent to the PRC.
April 28 – The MHPC confirms the PRC has accepted jurisdiction.
May 5 – The PRC confirms receipt of Allard's complaint on April 23. It is currently being assessed.
Who Handles Police Complaints in Alberta?
Chart Created by Owl News
The PRC has accepted jurisdiction over the complaints, meaning they have passed initial screening and are now being assessed for classification and investigation. While the PRC retains the power to dismiss a complaint at any time if it appears frivolous or vexatious, the fact that they have accepted jurisdiction suggests they have found enough substance to move forward.
The complaints name the MHPS Chief and the officers involved:
Chief Alan Murphy
Inspector Joe West
SSgt Darcy Brandt
SSgt Cory Both
Unnamed officer or staff member
What Happens Next
The PRC is now assessing the complaints to determine their appropriate classification level (Level 1, 2, or 3). The commission operates on a 180-day timeline for investigations once fully classified.
Background
Articles
Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) And A Literal Attack On The Free Press
MHPC Consulting Lawyer Re Complaints Against Actions Of MHPS Chief & Officers
Audio and Video Recordings
Trigger warning: The audio and video recordings linked below contain distressing content, including a physical assault and sounds of a person screaming in pain.
Medicine Hat Police Brutally Remove Journalist From Public Meeting
Public vs Police + Mustard Seed - journalist arrested for filming.
Medicine Hat Police interrupt public meeting about homelessness to assault journalist
– With files from Thomas Fougere and Kelly Allard
