BRANDON—The Manitoba government is providing law enforcement agencies in Brandon and Winnipeg with more than $8 million through the Manitoba Restart Program to support the construction of new or enhancement of existing police detention facilities, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced here today. “Our government is committed to the safety of all Manitobans including safe conditions for detainees and the staff operating these facilities,” said Cullen. “These important investments will also support jobs in the construction industry as we continue to safely restart and grow Manitoba’s economy.” The support announced today includes: • $4.4 million for the Brandon Police Service (BPS) to create a new permanent detention facility as part of its headquarters; and • $3.5 million for the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) to facilitate updates to its Central Processing Unit. As part of the $4.4 million, modular cells will be constructed at the Brandon Police Service Station to address demand in the interim period while design and construction on the permanent structure take place. This funding is being provided to ensure both BPS and WPS have facilities with the appropriate capacity to support their police agencies. “This funding will provide the BPS with the ability to construct a modern detention facility that will help ensure the safety of our clients, staff and the community we serve,” said Chief Wayne Balcaen, Brandon Police Service. “We also thank the Manitoba government for additional funding through the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund, which will provide additional tools and training to our staff, and ultimately contribute to overall public safety.” “The Winnipeg Police Service would like to thank the province for its contribution toward the capital costs to address infrastructure challenges that emerged as a result of the changes in prisoner processing,” said acting Chief Arthur Stannard, Winnipeg Police Service. “These renovations that we will make in our Central Processing Unit will help us better meet the needs of our members and the detainees in our care.” The minister announced the province has also provided almost $200,000 to BPS this year through the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund for training and equipment upgrades, noting $25,000 of the funding was shared with the Brandon Bear Clan organization to purchase a van for their operations. In Manitoba, cash and proceeds from the sale of forfeited property are deposited into the Criminal Property Forfeiture (CPF) Fund. The province also maintains the Federal Proceeds of Crime Fund (FPOC), which is generated from forfeited proceeds of crime through the prosecution of federal offences in Manitoba. All monies received are re-allocated to activities related to crime prevention including victim services, law enforcement and community initiatives such as drug prevention education. Since 2011, more than $16 million has been distributed to law enforcement agencies and community initiatives through the CPF Fund, which includes the FPOC and Victims’ Assistance funds. (Province of  MB News Release)

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon confirms that two additional employees of the corporation have recently tested positive for COVID-19. This represents the second and third positive cases of COVID-19 confirmed within the municipality’s workforce since the City of Brandon identified its first staff case on August 13th, 2020. One of the impacted employees works within Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and was identified through contact tracing as having possibly been exposed by a family member.  The employee immediately began self-isolating and has had no contact with the general public since August 22nd, 2020, and last worked on August 19th, 2020. The employee self-isolated in their home until obtaining a test on August 25th, 2020. At no time was there a risk to the public, and the employee continues to self-isolate in their home through their recovery as per the guidance of Manitoba Public Health and Occupational Health. The other impacted employee works in the Transit Department, but was scheduled to be off on vacation and so has not been at work since August 6th, 2020.  The two impacted employees had no contact with each other during this time. The City of Brandon wishes both employees a safe and speedy recovery. As it has since the outset of its response to this global pandemic, the City of Brandon adheres to a high level of COVID-19 prevention protocols in its workplaces and public spaces, including, but not limited to: mandatory handwashing/sanitizing upon entrance to all civic facilities, the installation of plexiglass barriers at all public service counters, the establishment of safe physical distancing protocols in its facilities, mandatory face coverings, and extra cleaning of commonly-touched surfaces. More information on the City of Brandon’s COVID-19 response can be found at https://www.brandon.ca/covid-19-updates. (CITY OF BRANDON MEDIA STATEMENT)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 29, 2020, police responded to a report of an assault at a residence at 2:30 am. The 37-year-old male suspect pushed the victim down a flight of stairs. The victim did not require medical attention. The suspect was arrested on scene and will appear in court on October 22, 2020, on a charge of Assault.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 27, 2020, police responded to a Break and Enter shortly before 9:00 am to a residence in the 1400 block of Princess Ave. Two suspects damaged furniture in the home while the homeowner was present and fled the residence prior to police arrival. The victim was not injured during the incident. The suspects were known to the homeowner, and were later arrested. A 33-year-old male and a 39-year-old female will each appear in court on November 19, 2020 on charges of Break and Enter with Intent.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release t 2:00 am on Thursday morning, vehicle was stopped in the 200 block of 18th St N. The driver, a 38 year Winnipeg resident, was arrested on a warrant held by the Winnipeg Police Service and for breaching an undertaking as he was not to communicate with a woman who was also in the vehicle.   The vehicle was searched incident to arrest and bag of approximately 10 grams of methamphetamine was located along with a scale and other items indicative of drug trafficking. The other three passengers were removed and arrested. A 44 year man and 38 year woman, both from Whitewood Saskatchewan, were charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking in methamphetamine. The third passenger, a 41 year old woman from Winnipeg, had numerous pills in her possession without a prescription and she will be charged with Possession for the purpose of trafficking in methamphetamine and in gabapentin and clonazepam. All four accused were released to appear in court in November.