Splett tapped to replace Cullen on police board
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Brandon City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Coun. Jason Splett to the Brandon Police Board after another councillor resigned from the board earlier this month.
Splett (Ward 8) was appointed at Monday evening’s council meeting. Coun. Barry Cullen (Ward 3) resigned after his son was accepted for training with the Brandon Police Service.
Splett said the appointment is an opportunity to be part of a governance body that serves an important role in the community. The board provides oversight for BPS, with key responsibilities including setting the annual budget, hiring the chief of police and creating strategic plans, while not interfering in daily operations.
Splett serves on four other boards, including the audit and finance board, which will help with this new post, he said.
“It’ll be good to have a little bit more oversight, a little bit more understanding of how policing works in the city and also the financial contributions that the city makes towards the police board,” Splett said before the meeting.
He hopes to bring a “new set of eyes” with a new perspective, he said. Other council members on the board have served for a while, he noted, including Coun. Shawn Berry (Ward 7) and Mayor Jeff Fawcett.
“Having a newly elected council person on the board will maybe look at things a little differently or ask a few more questions than they have in the past about process and procedure,” he said.
Cullen, speaking to the Sun before the council meeting, said Splett will be good for the position.
“He’s a great guy, and I’m wishing him all the luck, and I only hope that he can enjoy that particular committee as much as I have over the last years,” Cullen said.
Cullen served on the police board for about eight years, before he resigned to avoid a conflict of interest.
The most difficult time, Cullen said, was when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the city had to scramble to find accommodations for people being arrested, as they weren’t allowed to stay at the Brandon Correctional Centre for risk of spreading the virus.
During the meeting, Berry thanked Cullen for his time on the board.
“He’s been an integral part of the board for the last several years and we appreciated all his input,” Berry said.
Splett’s role took effect immediately and expires on Oct. 22, 2026, just before the municipal election.
» alambert@brandonsun.com