Doorbell prank at off-duty RCMP officer’s house ends with youth in handcuffs: IIU

The IIU is investigating a ding-dong-ditch incident in Brandon involving an off-duty RCMP officer putting a youth in handcuffs. CTV’s Taylor Brock explains.

Manitoba’s police watchdog has launched an investigation after a female youth was allegedly chased and handcuffed by an off-duty RCMP officer in Brandon following a doorbell prank.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) announced Wednesday it is investigating an incident that happened on Oct. 19 at 12:04 a.m.

According to the IIU, the Brandon Police Service was called to a home where a woman said her daughter was brought home in handcuffs by a man who was later identified as an off-duty RCMP officer.

The IIU said five youths were playing “ding-dong-ditch,” a prank where people ring the doorbells of homes and run away. The IIU learned from Brandon police that a man at one of the homes got into his vehicle, chased the youths, and apprehended the girl, taking her back to her home in handcuffs.

The incident was reported to the IIU on Oct. 21, and it is now being investigated.

In a statement, Manitoba RCMP said the officer’s current on-duty status is being assessed.

Anyone with information or video of the incident is asked to call the IIU at 1-844-667-6060.