Police watchdog clears Brandon police officers of wrongdoing

Manitoba’s police watchdog has cleared the Brandon Police Service of any wrongdoing after a man claimed he was assaulted by officers and that video of his arrest was altered and cut short.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba said in a report released Tuesday that dashcam video the man obtained through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act had not been tampered with, citing an expert report.

IIU acting civilian director Bruce Sychuk also ruled that the actions of the officers were reasonable and justified in the circumstances.

The man claimed he was assaulted multiple times during his arrest for numerous offences on June 15, 2023. The report states the man resisted arrest, with officers using force to subdue him before putting him in cuffs.