Brandon police officer acquitted of assault charge stemming from 2023 arrest | CBC News
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A Brandon police officer has been acquitted of a charge of assault causing bodily harm stemming from a 2023 arrest.
Judge David Ireland delivered his decision in Brandon’s provincial court Tuesday. A three-day trial for Const. Brett Long, 41, was held in January.
Ireland said the issue came down to whether Long used excessive force during the arrest.
“Police will inevitably come to physical contact with the suspect.” he told the court. “We specifically authorized police officers to use force if necessary … provided he or she acted on reasonable grounds and only use as much force as necessary.”
The charge was laid after an Aug. 25, 2023, arrest involving Callista George, now 24. Police had received a call saying an intoxicated person was brandishing multiple knives and threatening people.
Long, along with two other officers, arrived to find George at First Street and Cornwallis Crescent, in the city’s south end. In a video shown in court, Long can be seen first pushing George to the ground before he’s joined seconds later by two other officers.
A Brandon police officer has been acquitted of assault charges stemming from a 2023 arrest that the Crown said left a woman with a broken collarbone. The provincial court trial was held in January and Judge David Ireland delivered his decision on Tuesday.
No weapons were found, and George was not charged.
She later filed a complaint saying she had been injured during the arrest, leading to a probe by the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba. The civilian-led agency is tasked with investigating all serious incidents involving police officers.
Long was charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm in March 2025 and pleaded not guilty.
Crown prosecutor Nick Reeves argued Long used excessive force, breaking George’s collarbone, when other options were available. Defence co-council Richard Wolson argued the officer was responding to a high-risk call with an unpredictable, intoxicated suspect who could have a weapon.
Ireland said looking at these circumstances, video of the arrest and testimony from George and experts, Long’s actions were proportionate, reasonable and necessary for public safety based on the circumstances.
“Police action should not be judged against the standard of perfection…. Police engage in dangerous and demanding work and often have to react quickly in emergencies,” Ireland told the court. “Const. Long risked his own life…. He showed bravery and a measured approach in a difficult situation.”
Ireland’s decision was met by applause from the gallery.
In a prepared statement to CBC, Brandon Police Service Chief Tyler Bates said policing is a difficult profession that often forces officers to make quick decisions in unpredictable and dangerous situations.
He says police are accountable to the public for their actions, and that includes external investigations and judicial processes.
“Police officers put their lives on the line every day in service to the public,” Bates said. “We are very pleased to see this matter finally resolved, allowing Const. Long to move forward in his career with the full confidence and the unwavering support of this service.”