Girl Handcuffed After Doorbell Prank at Off-Duty RCMP Officer’s Home in Manitoba

The provincial police watchdog is investigating.

AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File

Manitoba’s police watchdog says it is investigating after receiving a report from a woman whose daughter was allegedly arrested by an off-duty RCMP officer in Brandon, Manitoba, after she participated in a doorbell prank.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) says it is carrying out an investigation in connection with an incident involving an off-duty RCMP officer who allegedly chased and handcuffed a female youth after she engaged in a doorbell prank at his home.

The Brandon Police Service (BPS) was dispatched just after midnight on Oct. 19 to a residence in the zero block of Hawthorn Crescent in Brandon, where a woman reported that her daughter was brought home in handcuffs by a man, who was later identified as an off-duty RCMP officer, the IIU said in an Oct. 29 news release.

“BPS learned five youths were playing a game of ‘Ding Dong Ditch’ which involves ringing doorbells of residences and running away,” the IIU said.

“They stated a male at one residence (the male officer) got in his vehicle, gave chase, and apprehended one of the youths.”

The officer then allegedly brought the female youth to her residence in handcuffs, the IIU said.

The IIU says it was notified of the incident by BPS on Oct. 21, and the IIU civilian director determined that it was in the public interest for the IIU to investigate the matter. The IIU also says that as the investigation is ongoing, no further details will be provided.

The Manitoba police watchdog is asking witnesses or individuals who have information or video footage of the incident that could assist in the investigation to contact its office toll-free at 1-844-667-6060.

Manitoba’s IIU

The IIU is responsible for investigating “all serious incidents involving police officers in Manitoba, whether occurring on or off duty,” according to its mandate. The unit says it has “jurisdiction over all police services in Manitoba, including the RCMP.”

“The IIU is called into action where it appears the actions of a police officer may have caused the death or serious injury of a person, or have contravened certain laws,” the IIU’s website says. “The IIU may also investigate any other matter when the civilian director considers it in the public interest to do so.”

The unit says it does not accept complaints directly from the public and that it normally becomes involved only after being notified of an incident by police.

Public complaints about police conduct or performance are handled by Manitoba’s Law Enforcement Review Agency, the IIU says.