The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has concluded its investigation that concerned an allegation that the affected person (AP) was choked and rendered unconscious during an interaction with police in Brandon on January 16, 2021.

According to the notification received on June 4, 2021, the Brandon Police Service (BPS) advised an individual (the affected person) had complained of being choked by a police officer while he was incapacitated after he had been transported for care at the Brandon Regional Health Centre.

As the allegations in the notification are discretionary matters under the provisions of the Police Services Act (PSA), the civilian director determined it was in the public interest for an independent investigation to be undertaken by IIU. The IIU assumed conduct of this matter and began an investigation. IIU investigators were assigned to this investigation.

Based on the information received by IIU at the outset, it was the decision of the civilian director to defer the designation of any BPS officer as a subject officer until more information was received through the investigation. The civilian director designated six BPS officers as witness officers. IIU investigators met with and interviewed the AP. Seven civilian witnesses were identified as individuals to be interviewed in this investigation. IIU investigators subsequently determined that there was no need to interview one of the civilian witnesses as this person was not present at the incident and had no additional information that could be of assistance to the investigation.

In addition, BPS file material and other information obtained by IIU investigators included:

  • incident report
  • copies of correspondence between AP and BPS
  • BPS cruiser car video
  • BPS use of force report
  • report summaries
  • witness officer notes
  • audio recording of 911 telephone call
  • audio interview of Civilian Witness 7 by BPS
  • photographs of AP
  • AP’s medical records
  • BPS use of force policies

Based on the various witness accounts and other information obtained in this investigation, the civilian director is not satisfied that reasonable grounds exist to justify the designation of any BPS officer as a subject officer. In addition, the civilian director is not satisfied that there exists any evidence to find that any BPS officer used excessive and unnecessary force during all interactions with AP.