2025 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Games are Coming to Brantford!
BRANTFORD – Special Olympics Ontario (SOO) is proud to announce that the Brantford Police Service, Brant County OPP and Six Nations Police will host the Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Summer Games Presented by the Wayne Gretzky Foundation in July of 2025.
SOO
has a unique partnership with policing agencies through the Law Enforcement
Torch Run in the Province and each and every Provincial Games since 1996 has
been hosted by a Police Service. Brantford Police will partner with Six
Nations Police and the Ontario Provincial Police to host these Games.
The Games will feature five sports: bocce, golf, track and field, soccer, and softball. All sports will be broken down into multiple ability divisions, where athletes will have the chance to compete against those similar to their ability level. In total, over 1,000 athletes and coaches will participate in the Games.
The Wayne Gretzky Foundation is the Presenting Sponsor of the Games and Wayne Gretzky provided the following statement: "I am thrilled to support the 2025 Provincial Summer Games in my hometown of Brantford, Ontario. Sport and competition are a powerful force that unites us all and these Games will exemplify the spirit of inclusivity, acceptance and inclusion. Special Olympics is a cause near and dear to my heart and I wish all of the athletes luck in achieving their dreams and competing on the Provincial stage in Brantford!”
The community is encouraged to join us as we bring together exceptional individuals from our local communities and from across Ontario as we showcase their talents during the 2025 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Summer Games in Brantford.
For more information about the Games and how to get involved, please visit: https://provincialgames.com/2025-brantford/
For more information and to schedule interviews, contact:
Robin Matthews-Osmond
Corporate Communications Manager
Brantford Police Service
Rmatthews-osmond@police.brantford.on.ca
About the 2025 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Summer Games
The City of Brantford, County of Brant, Six Nations of the Grand River will welcome over 1,000 athletes and coaches in July 2025. They will be joined by their coaches, and cheered on in-person and at home by their families and friends. Athletes will be competing for a chance to qualify for Team Ontario and participate in the 2026 National Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The Brantford Police Service, Brant County Ontario Provincial Police and Six Nations Police are proud to host the 2025 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Summer Games.
About the 2025 Summer Games Logo:
The focal point of the logo is the Special Olympics cauldron, utilizing gold and purple colours representing the unity between Brantford and Six Nations, infusing ceremonial significance into the Special Olympics Games. The logo incorporates the flowing waters of the Grand River surrounding the cauldron, visually indicating the location of the games in Brantford while symbolizing unity and harmony within the natural landscape.
About the Wayne Gretzky Foundation (WGF):
The WGF has been a longstanding supporter of Special Olympics as Wayne’s aunt, Walters sister, had an intellectual disability and the Gretzky family have been involved in the cause for many years. In Edmonton, Wayne would often play Floor Hockey with Special Olympics athletes in the community, most notably Oilers equipment manager Joey Moss who became a close friend. Wayne also befriended Harry "Red” Foster who founded Special Olympics Canada in 1969 and continued to grow closer to the cause as a direct result of this relationship. Wayne was the Honorary Chairman of the 1981 National Special Olympics Summer Games in Ottawa and also a part of the delegation who marched into the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Games in Minneapolis in 1991. Wayne stayed connected with Special Olympics throughout the remainder of his career and always was an advocate of individuals with an intellectual disability across North America. In 2019, Special Olympics celebrated its 50th Anniversary worldwide and the Wayne Gretzky Foundation proudly sponsored the Invitational Youth Games in Toronto.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Robin Matthews-Osmond
Corporate Communications Manager
Brantford Police Service
Rmatthews-osmond@police.brantford.on.ca
Hayley Plante
Visual Content and Marketing Officer
Special Olympics Ontario
hayleyp@specialolympicsontario.com
BPS seek to identify pickpocket suspects
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The Brantford Police Service continue to investigate a number of personal thefts. Additional suspect photos are now available and information from the public is being requested in an effort to identify two additional suspects.
In addition to the information released April 16, 2024, where the image of two male suspects was provided to the public in an effort to identify the men believed to be responsible for a number of pickpocket thefts where seniors had been targeted in grocery stores, officers are seeking to identify two additional suspects.
All four of the male suspects appear to be targeting seniors who are grocery shopping. One suspect works to distract the victim, while the other steals the victim’s wallet.
The Brantford Police Service would like to remind shoppers to be aware of your surroundings and to ensure personal items such as purses are zipped closed, and not left unattended.
Anyone who may have information which would assist police to identify the individuals pictured above is asked to contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Brant - Brantford Crime Stoppers by calling 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477 or by submitting a web tip online at: https://www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/
ORIGINAL RELEASE - April 16, 2024
The Brantford Police Service continue to investigate a number of personal thefts and are seeking information from the public in an effort to identify the persons responsible.
Between April 11, 2024, and April 15, 2024, four separate calls for service were received to report elderly victims had their wallets stolen while shopping at grocery stores in Brantford.
Investigation determined that two male suspects appear to be working together, specifically targeting elderly persons who were shopping alone. One suspect would act as a distraction while the other would physically steal the wallet from the victim.
During each incident, the suspects were believed to arrive to the grocery stores on foot, and they were successful at each location with obtaining credit cards and identifying documents.
Investigators are seeking information from the public in order to identify the suspects shown in the photos below.
Suspect #1 is described as a white male, with a slim build, short/buzzed hair, and short scruffy facial hair. The suspect was wearing white sneakers, faded and ripped blue jeans, a white shirt, vintage green army style jacket and a light, bright baseball hat.
Suspect #2 is described as a white male, with a muscular build and a scruffy short grey beard. The male was wearing white running shoes, tight blue jeans with ripped knees, a light grey hoodie, and a black beret hat with a beak at the front.
The Brantford Police Service would like to remind shoppers to be aware of your surroundings and to ensure personal items such as purses are zipped closed, and not left unattended.
Anyone who may have information which would assist police to identify the individuals pictured above is asked to contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Brant - Brantford Crime Stoppers by calling 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477 or by submitting a web tip online at: https://www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/
BPS arrest 23-year-old man after two men shot overnight
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Members of the Brantford Police Service arrested a 23-year-old man from Brampton after two men were shot overnight.
At approximately 8:20 p.m., Sunday, April 21, 2024, officers with the Brantford Police Service, along with Brant County paramedics, responded to a King Street address, after receiving a call to report a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located two adult, male victims inside a residence suffering from gunshot wounds.
Both victims were transported to medical facilities for treatment where one remains in critical condition.
At 8:45 p.m. the same evening, Brantford police arrested a 23-year-old Brampton man. The suspect was arrested without incident in the area of Sarah Street and Murray Street by members of the Brantford Police Service Emergency Response Team, Patrol Section, and K-9 unit.
Detectives with the BPS Criminal Investigation Section are now leading the investigation. A firearm believed to have been used in the incident has been recovered. Police are not currently looking for additional suspects and do not believe this to be a random incident.
The accused will appear in bail court today and is facing charges including aggravated assault and a number of firearm related offences.
This investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone who may have information which would assist investigators is asked to contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Brant - Brantford Crime Stoppers by calling 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477 or by submitting a web tip online at: https://www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/
Public Safety in Partnership with the Community
BPS investigate report of gunshots fired, seek info from public
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The Brantford Police Service are investigating a report of gunshots fired earlier this evening outside a Butcher Crescent residence.
On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at approximately 4:20 p.m., a 9-1-1 call was received by the Brantford Police Service to report possible gunfire outside a residence located on Butcher Crescent.
Officers attended to investigate and have obtained a photograph of a suspect vehicle believed to be involved in the incident. Anyone with information that could help to identify the suspect(s) are asked to contact police.
SUSPECT VEHICLE: The suspect vehicle is described as: a grey, 4-door SUV as shown in the image below.
No physical injuries occurred, area roads remain open, and there is no immediate threat to public safety as a result of the incident.
The Brantford Police Service would like to thank local residents and the public for their cooperation as officers work to conduct the investigation.
Anyone who may have information which would assist investigators to identify the suspect(s) is asked to contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050. Information can also be provided anonymously to Brant - Brantford Crime Stoppers by calling 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477 or by submitting a web tip online at: https://www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/
Public Safety in Partnership with the Community
Brantford police seek to identify suspect
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Brantford police are investigating a collision involving multiple vehicles and are seeking information from the public to identify the driver who fled the scene.
On Monday, April 15, 2024, at approximately 8:00 a.m., a vehicle struck and damaged two citizen vehicles and two police vehicles in a parking lot located at Colborne Street West and Oakhill Drive. The citizen vehicles were unoccupied at the time of the collisions. Physical injuries were not reported as a result of the incidents.
The suspect vehicle involved in the collisions, an older model, black Chevrolet Tahoe, was later located and recovered by police.
The investigation is active and ongoing.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050. Information can also be provided anonymously to Brant - Brantford Crime Stoppers by 1-800-222-8477 or by submitting a web tip online at: https://www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/
Public Safety in Partnership with the Community
Meet Rookie, Brantford Police Service’s new mascot
The Brantford Police Service is excited to introduce our newest recruit, Rookie!
A contest was held asking the youth from our community to help us find a great name for our mascot and they did not disappoint. An online survey was launched in December 2024 asking the community to then help select their favourite name from the short list which included suggested names of Blue, Rookie, and Trooper. It was a close race, with nearly 1000 votes cast online.
We would like to thank 10-year-old Lincoln Roberts of Brantford for providing the winning name of Rookie.
Keep an eye out for Rookie, our crime fighting canine friend, who will be out-and-about, making appearances at various local community events.
Public Safety in Partnership with the Community
Brantford Police Service Awarded National CALEA Re-Accreditation
From left to right: CALEA Executive Director W. Craig Hartley, Jr., BPS CALEA Coordinator Sue Gemmell,
BPS Chief Rob Davis, CALEA President Marcus Brown
The Brantford Police Service was awarded national re-accreditation on March 23, 2024, by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The Brantford Police Service was first accredited in 2004.
Following a multi-year self-assessment phase and a meticulous site-based assessment of community engagement, policy, procedures, equipment and facilities by CALEA assessors, the Brantford Police Service was required to appear before CALEA’s 21-member Board of Commissioners where the commission reviewed all findings and determined the accreditation status.
On Saturday, March 23, the CALEA Commission voted to approve re-accreditation of the Brantford Police Service. CALEA President Marcus Brown and Executive Director W. Craig Hartley, Jr. formally awarded the Brantford Police Service with re-accreditation, signifying excellence in public safety and commitment to community. This is Brantford Police Service’s 7th award of national accreditation.
"Operating under the highest standards in public safety, I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication provided by Brantford Police Service officers and civilian staff. CALEA accreditation demonstrates our continued commitment to providing exceptional service to our community.”
– Chief Rob Davis
In 1979, the Commission was created through the combined efforts of four major law enforcement organizations: the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum.
The purpose of CALEA’s Accreditation Programs is to improve the delivery of public safety services, primarily by maintaining a body of standards, developed by public safety practitioners, covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives; establishing and administering an accreditation process; and recognizing professional excellence.
Public Safety in Partnership with the Community
About CALEA
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA) was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement's major executive associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); National Sheriffs' Association (NSA); and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).
The purpose of CALEA’s Accreditation Programs is to improve the delivery of public safety services, primarily by maintaining a body of standards, developed by public safety practitioners, covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives; establishing and administering an accreditation process; and recognizing professional excellence.
Specifically, CALEA’s goals are to: Strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities; Formalize essential management procedures; Establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices; Improve service delivery; Solidify interagency cooperation and coordination; and Increase community and staff confidence in the agency.
The CALEA Accreditation Process is a proven modern management model; once implemented, it presents the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), on a continuing basis, with a blueprint that promotes the efficient use of resources and improves service delivery—regardless of the size, geographic location, or functional responsibilities of the agency.
This accreditation program provides public safety agencies an opportunity to voluntarily demonstrate that they meet an established set of professional standards based on industry best practices and approved by an all-volunteer board of commissioners.
BPS Seeking Witnesses of Collision
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The Brantford Police Service is investigating a collision that occurred at approximately 3:35 p.m., Saturday, March 9, 2024, in the area of St. Paul Avenue and St. George Street.
A vehicle was involved in a collision with a pedestrian. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries.
The driver of the vehicle remained on scene.
Police are seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed the collision. Anyone with information, including dashcam or surveillance footage of the collision, is asked to contact Constable Shane SEIBERT at 519-756-0113 ext. 2204.
Public Safety in Partnership with the Community
UPDATE – Stolen firearm recovered; police continue to seek information to identify suspect
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Brantford police continue to investigate the theft of a firearm and seek information from the public to help identify the suspect. The stolen firearm has now been recovered by police.
On Sunday, March 17, 2024, at approximately 11:00 a.m., members of the Brantford Police Service responded to a report of a stolen firearm from a Market Street residence.
Information was received to indicate one male suspect entered the residence and is alleged to have stolen a 12-guage shotgun, described as a "Canuk Defender”. The suspect was photographed riding a bicycle – please see attached photo.
The suspect remains outstanding and is described as follows:
- Male, average build, wearing a unique gold and orange winter coat.
As part of a separate drug trafficking investigation, members of the Brantford Police Service Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at a West Street residence, where the stolen firearm was recovered.
Officers continue to seek information from the public in an effort to identify the individual who stole the firearm. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050. Information can also be provided anonymously to Brant - Brantford Crime Stoppers by 1-800-222-8477 or by submitting a web tip online at: https://www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/
Public Safety in Partnership with the Community
ORIGINAL RELEASE: Brantford police seek to identify suspect
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March 20, 2024
Brantford police are investigating the theft of a firearm and are seeking information from the public to help identify the suspect.
On Sunday, March 17, 2024, at approximately 11:00 a.m., members of the Brantford Police Service responded to a report of a stolen firearm from a Market Street residence.
Information was received to indicate one male suspect entered the residence and is alleged to have stolen a 12-gauge shotgun, described as a "Canuk Defender”. The suspect was photographed riding a bicycle – please see attached photo.
Physical injuries did not occur as a result of the incident.
The suspect remains outstanding and is described as follows:
- Male, average build, wearing a unique gold and orange winter coat.
For failing to properly store firearms and ammunition within his possession, a 70-year-old male resident of Brantford, stands charged with two counts each of Careless Storage of Ammunition and Careless Storage of Firearm as per the Criminal Code.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050. Information can also be provided anonymously to Brant - Brantford Crime Stoppers by 1-800-222-8477 or by submitting a web tip online at: https://www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/
Public Safety in Partnership with the Community
