The Council of the City of Brandon wishes to advise that the administrative leave of City Manager Rod Sage has been extended to January 31st, 2020. As with his initial leave, Council has determined that an extension of that leave continues to be in the best interest of all parties. Mr. Dean Hammond has been fulfilling the role of Acting City Manager and that arrangement will continue during this period. As this matter is ongoing, Council will not make further comment on this matter. (Media Statement from Brandon City Council)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On November 1, 2019, police received a report of a sexual assault, which occurred on October 30, 2019 by a Massage Therapist. The female victim reported that while receiving a massage the therapist made inappropriate sexual comments, while touching her in a sexual manner. A second female victim also came forward to report a similar incident, which occurred in the fall of 2018 by the same Massage Therapist. An investigation into the two reports led police to arrest the 54-year-old male on November 28, 2019. He will appear in court on January 20, 2020.

The Manitoba government is formalizing its ongoing collaboration on retail thefts with law enforcement partners, in consultation with Manitoba Liquor Lotteries and other stakeholders through Operation Safe Streets, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen and Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton announced today. “We have always worked closely with our law enforcement partners and other stakeholders, and now, Operation Safe Streets will build on this important work by bringing the right people around the table to continue this important dialogue,” Cullen said.  “Operation Safe Streets will be another crime-fighting tool as part of our overarching Safer Streets, Safer Lives Action Plan, which takes a whole-of-government approach and recognizes that we can accomplish more when we work together.” Operation Safe Streets is an operations table model used by law enforcement.  It will consist of the Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP and other representatives from law enforcement, including security from Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, the minister noted. Operation Safe Streets is a direct response to the increased incidents at Manitoba Liquor Marts and will build on the Safer Streets, Safer Lives Action Plan, which focuses on treatment, education and enforcement. Additional public safety initiatives will include: •    launching a new Crime Stoppers advertising campaign in Winnipeg, Brandon and rural Manitoba including more cash for drug tips; and •    taking steps to improve the sharing of criminal intelligence between the RCMP and municipal police forces, including joint forces operations, and greater support for tactical enforcement by the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS). In order to support these enhanced enforcement efforts, the government will make it easier to seize and liquidate drug money and drug dealers' assets by expanding the civil forfeiture process, Cullen said. “The rate and severity of these brazen thefts and robberies occurring in Winnipeg continues to be incredibly concerning because everyone should feel safe when they go to work,” said Wharton.  “Our government is committed to a comprehensive whole-of-government approach to addressing theft, reducing violence, and improving mental health and addictions in our province.” Over the past year, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries has been working to address the growing issue of theft by implementing a number of security and theft deterrent measures in stores including adding bottle locks, lockable display cases, dummy bottles, restricted area access control to prevent stockroom access and rotating special duty constables (WPS) throughout stores across Winnipeg. Most recently, Manitoba Liquor Marts has started transitioning to controlled entrances and all customers will be required to provide valid photo identification before entry into the store is permitted. Since the start of its second mandate, the Manitoba government has taken numerous steps to implement the Safer Streets, Safer Lives Action Plan. The province has announced since September a number of additional public safety investments including: •    announcing a $1.9-million annual investment to support the expansion of RCMP crime reduction and enforcement teams to focus on serious, prolific offenders and drug dealers; •    investing approximately $516,000 in the Winnipeg Police Service, including new computer workstations for the technological crimes unit, which will improve its ability to process digital evidence and more effectively investigate crime and a drone to provide aerial support for search and rescue operations and tactical support, using infrared and other technology; •    investing nearly $41,000 from criminal property forfeiture with Altona, Winkler and Morden police services, for a regional crisis negotiation unit and other resources; •    providing additional criminal property forfeiture investments for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service for a new K9 Unit vehicle ($70,000), Rivers Police Service ($6,400) and Springfield Police Service ($20,000); and •    investing $65,000 in the community mobilization hub serving Portage la Prairie. Additionally, more than 100 initiatives addressing mental health and addictions have been implemented across all of government since 2016.  Since October, 12 projects totaling at least $20.6 million have been announced to support stronger mental health and addictions services in Manitoba. (Province of Manitoba News Feed)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On November 26, 2019, police arrested a 22-year-old male following an investigation into the content on his electronic device. The suspect’s roommate was concerned about some images they observed on the suspect’s device, and reported their suspicion. Police obtained a warrant to search the device, and located images of child pornography. The male will appear in court on January 23, 2020 on a charge of Possess Child Pornography.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 2, 2019, police received a report of the theft of approximately $3800 from a business in the 1500 block of 18th street. An ongoing investigation into the thefts revealed that a former employee who resigned on August 1, 2019 was responsible. The 34-year-old female was arrested on November 25, 2019 and will appear in court on January 27, 2020 on a charge of Theft Under $5000