BPS News Release On May 30, 1882, the City of Brandon received its Charter recognizing it as an incorporated City in the Province of Manitoba.  July 3rd, 1882 saw the newly formed City of Brandon hold its inaugural meeting in the schoolhouse located on the 100th block of 10th Street.  On the next scheduled meeting, held on July 12, 1882 the new Brandon City Council formed the Brandon Police Force as it was initially called.  The Mayor and Council hired Chief Constable Archibald L. McMillan and Donald Campbell as well as John Keays as Constables.  Today, we mark 140 years of dedicated service to the City of Brandon and its citizens. In the years following the initial hiring of those three members, 410 women and men have joined the Brandon Police Service.  Today, our workforce includes 35 civilian employees and 100 sworn members, which includes six Special Constables.  Some of those who served as members over the years were part of our organization for as little as 3 days but most spent the better part of their working life serving the City of Brandon, like our longest serving member of 44 years Retired Constable Gerry Paddock.  Many of our members have served this community but also served our country on the battlefields in Europe in both World Wars and some of those officers made the ultimate sacrifice in those conflicts. Constable Carol Fisher joined the Brandon City Police Department in 1979, becoming the first female member of our Service, retiring at the rank of Sergeant in January of 2012.   Our Police Service is proud to be able to say that we now have 12 women serving in our ranks. The Brandon Police Service has been housed in many buildings over the years.  When initially formed in 1882, we shared accommodation arrangement with the City Administration, Fire Department and Court Room in a building on the corner of 7th Street and Princess Avenue. Our Police Service has been fortunate to be on the ground floor of many technological advances supporting police work, including training in the science of fingerprint analysis as early as the 1920’s.  In the late 1960’s Retired Sergeant Doug Bottley was trained in the skill of forensic analysis and formed our first Forensic Unit. As larger cities throughout North America introduced what was then known as the 9-9-9 system, the City of Brandon was one of the smallest cities at the time to adopt this technology, allowing emergency access to police assistance through this 3-digit dialing.  Later of course, the 9-9-9 system was revamped into the 9-1-1 system that we use today. In 1980, the Brandon Police introduced the Canine Unit, with then Constable Leon Flannigan and Police Service Dog “Mac” receiving training from the Calgary Police Service.  Ten years later, in 1990, Chief Brian Scott introduced the first formal version of a Tactical Response Unit to our Police Service. The Brandon Police Force, Brandon City Police Department and Brandon Police Service is proud of our 140-year history.  We commit our Service to ensuring the safety of the citizens of Brandon, then, now and in the future.  We proudly dedicate our work to our “Community First” motto.

Super Run, one of Western Canada’s largest classic car shows, is taking place in Brandon July 29-31. Originally scheduled to take place on the grounds of the Grand Valley Campground, the event has moved locations to: Mazer Farm, 9 kilometres West on highway 1A from 34th Street and Victoria Avenue. Here is the link to the site: https://goo.gl/maps/vsQwsyPKFwrtEcyu8 Due to covid related restrictions, the organization had to cancel their 2020 (Saskatoon) & 2021 (Red Deer) shows. The event was last hosted in Brandon (2019) and featured approximately 650 vehicles: vintage, muscle cars, vintage campers, vintage motorcycles and more. Vehicles compete for a number of different titles including Best of Show, People’s Choice, Best Hot Rod, Best Pickup, etc. You can find additional information on the event on their Facebook page here.

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: July 8th, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” Paul Virgil LAVALLEE (31 yrs)  FOR  Assault and Failing to Comply with Release Order Paul Virgil LAVALLEE is wanted for two separate counts of assault that occurred in June 2022, as well as breaching a release order.  On June 16th, 2022, a warrant of his arrest was issued by the courts as his current whereabouts is unknown. If you have any information as to the whereabouts of this person or anyone else “Wanted by Police” you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637).  Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display.  Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous.  Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime. ****************************************************************** CRIME OF THE WEEK for July 8th, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a; Theft of Fuel  On June 12th, 2022, at 5:00pm, a male suspect filled a grey ford explorer with gasoline from a business in the 900’ block of 18th Street North.  The male then fled the scene without paying for the gas.  The license plate on the vehicle does not match the registration.  The suspect is described as being in his 30’s with facial hair.  He was wearing a grey t-shirt with a volcom logo on the front, black pants, and white Adidas runners.  The suspect also has a tattoo on the upper half of his left arm.

Building on the success of last year’s initiative, the Manitoba government is once again offering free entry to provincial parks for a full week in mid-July, including Canada’s Parks Day weekend, so visitors can take advantage of these parks and all they have to offer, Environment, Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton announced today. “This week-long free access, which coincides with Canada’s Parks Day on Saturday, July 16, is designed to ensure all Manitobans can enjoy the extraordinary natural beauty of our provincial parks even more affordably,” said Wharton. “From hiking and birdwatching in lush boreal forests to exploring intriguing historic sites that showcase our province’s cultural heritage to paddling a pristine, tranquil lake, Manitoba’s provincial parks have something for everyone.” Vehicle permits will not be required at any provincial park from July 11 to 17. Overnight camping fees still apply along with fees to national parks. Manitoba’s provincial park entry fees are among the lowest in Canada, and this week-long offer and other free park access offerings are designed to ensure the cost is not a barrier to anyone. Several parks are offering special events on Saturday, July 16, for Canada’s Parks Day including family fun activities, barbeques and prize draws. Event details are available at local campground offices and online at www.manitobaparks.com. Numerous interpretive programs are offered at park visitor centres and museums, along with guided experiences and tours, campfire talks and amphitheatre presentations that inspire visitors to learn and protect each park’s natural, cultural and historical resources, the minister said. Information on interpretive programs can be found at www.manitobaparks.com and under the events tab on the Manitoba Parks Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MBGovParks. Flooding and wet conditions continue to affect several provincial parks. Park visitors should check www.manitobaparks.com for the latest flood-related closures and advisories, and www.manitoba511.ca for road closures and potential detours before travelling. Campsite reservation holders will be contacted if they are affected by a site closure and can then request a full refund or move their reservation to another available location. Campers should not pre-emptively cancel reservations before being notified, otherwise cancellation policies will apply. Individuals who wish to camp in a provincial park can check site availability and make a reservation through the Parks Reservation Service at www.manitobaparks.com or by calling toll-free 1-888-482-2267. Beach users are reminded to be water smart this summer, which includes never swimming alone and supervising children on the beach. Boaters and beach users should wear properly sized life-jackets when participating in water-related activities. Visitors can borrow life-jackets in select parks and return them after their activity. Locations for the Life-jacket Loan Program and other beach safety information is available at www.manitobaparks.com. Manitobans can stay up to date with provincial park news, activities and events by following the Manitoba Parks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MBGovParks or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGovParks.

Source: BPS News Release On July 5, 2022 shortly before 11:00 pm, police responded to a report of a female who had been stabbed by an extended family member at a residence following a fight. When officers arrived at the residence, they found a 28-year-old female with a large life-threatening cut, which they treated with a tourniquet prior to the arrival of an ambulance.  The victim remains in the hospital in stable condition. Investigation revealed the suspect used a pair of scissors. The 28-year-old female suspect left the scene prior to police arrival, but she was located and arrested at her own residence a short time later.  She was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on a charge of Aggravated Assault.