Discussions

Police Chief Esslemont, and Sergeant Carter, who denied charges that they were jealous of each other, (Today we would say they had big Egos) headed the Brandon Police Department.  
 
There were also charges of perjury in an investigation of Mr. McKay, preferred by police officers James Dixon, and F. Stanley. Even Mayor McDiarmid voiced his opinion that neither Esslemont nor Carter told all they knew at the first examination.  
 
This caused Brandon’s finest to call strike action.  
 
On this date by “Resolution”, city council who after growing tired of mismanagement, financial improprieties, and infighting among its senior members dispensed with the entire police force, and placed Captain J. R. Hardy MC as acting Chief with the authority to reorganize the Police department.  
 
This was the second time in five years that the entire force was canned.  
 
Most of the former police department personnel applied for the new positions, but Alderman McKenzie regarded the Esselmont and Carter dismissals as uncalled for.  
 
In the end the only two men who remained on duty during the strike troubles were let go and all the others were reinstated. Mayor McDiarmid explained that the latter were serving a probationary period.  
 
Ex-Sergeant Carter in a letter to city council asked for the reasons concerning his discharge, and for financial assistance regarding prosecution of perjury charges.  
 
Council informed him that the expelling had been brought about because the department was lacking cooperation, and that they disclaimed any liability toward “furnishing the necessary fees for furtherance of perjury claims.”  
 
Ex-Chief Esslemont received a similar reply, and in addition advice that nothing prevented him from applying for a place on the reorganized police force.  
 
The Ex-Chief described those constables making the perjury accusations as the “ring leaders in the strike.”  
 
Ex-Sergeant Carter launched a ten thousand dollar libel suit against James Dixon, which was withdrawn after Dixon publicly retracted certain statements he had made.  
 
After a rowdy regular council meeting Ex-Sergeant Dixon and brother police probationers F. Stanley, and W. Rudman were dismissed, and Constable Barlow was promoted to a Detective post.  
 
A woman’s auxiliary group protested the expulsion of Ex-Chief Esslemont. One council member requested that both the former Chief and Sergeant be re-installed, but other councillors objected.  
 
Several Aldermen urged Gendarme reductions to six men, but Acting Chief Hardy said eight officers were required, and also requested permission for them to carry revolvers.  
 
Source: Brandon a City by G. F. Barker