Judge defers decision in trial of Brandon police officer accused of assault during arrest

A provincial court judge has reserved his decision after hearing closing arguments in the trial of a Brandon police officer accused of assault causing bodily harm during an August 2023 arrest.

Const. Brett Long, 41, pleaded not guilty to the charge, stemming from the Aug. 25, 2023 arrest of Callista George, now 24.

The incident began with a call about an intoxicated person brandishing a steak knife and machete. 

Long, along with two other officers, arrived on scene 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.

No weapons were found, and George was not charged.

She later filed a complaint saying she had been injured during the arrest. That led to a probe by the Independent Investigation Unit, the civilian-led agency charged with investigating all serious incidents involving police officers.

Long was subsequently charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm in March 2025. 

During closing arguments before provincial court Judge David Ireland, defence co-council Richard Wolson told the court Long was responding to a high-risk call with an unpredictable, intoxicated suspect who might have had a weapon. 

She refused his command to get on the ground, Wolson told the court, arguing Long used common sense and followed policies.

“Why would you possibly wait for something bad to happen?” Wolson said. “Police officers are allowed to use force if it’s reasonable in the circumstances. How can it be said not to be reasonable in these circumstances?”

Crown prosecutor Nick Reeves argued Long used excessive force when other options were available.

Expert witness says tactics warranted

Retired inspector Christopher Butler, a use-of-force expert called by defence co-counsel Daniel Wolson, testified Long pushing George to the ground was the correct choice given a high-risk situation with the potential to change quickly.

In his opinion, Butler said, Long’s tactics were necessary and proportionate based on existing policies, adding he did not consider Long’s actions reckless.

He also noted at no point did Long seem frustrated with George.

“Officers are not required to use the minimum amount of force, because it will place them in potentially positions of undue danger,” Butler said.

During cross-examination, Reeves noted Long was in charge of the timing and distance between him and George. 

He suggested Long had time to choose other types of de-escalation, including warnings or additional verbal commands, especially because George had already heard multiple instructions. 

Butler responded that George’s behaviour could not be the only factor considered in Long’s decisions, and that timing was critical.

High-risk call

In closing arguments, Richard Wolson argued Long acted appropriately during a high-risk call. He told court Long’s quick arrival meant weapons could be present, making containing George as soon as possible critical.

Wolson questioned whether the push caused George’s injury given her inconsistent testimony, including complaints of prior arm pain.

“The evidence isn’t clear, but even if it happened during the push, we say that you don’t work backwards from the injury,” Wolson said. “Was the push excessive? And we say that it was not, and more importantly, that’s the evidence of the inspector who testified this morning.”

Long took the opportunity to de-escalate when he saw it— even if it meant he might get injured, Wolson told the court.

“He pushed her to the ground,” Wolson said. “That’s the case — a push.”

The Crown argued police discretion has limits. Reeves said the case is not simply about a push, but whether the force was necessary, proportionate and reasonable.

Ireland spoke to two key points. He confirmed there was no agreement that the push resulted in George’s broken collarbone. He also noted the conflicting expert testimony — a Crown use-of-force witness focused on other options available to Long, while the defence’s witness focused on what was reasonable in the moment.

Ireland has reserved his decision for a later date.