06/06/2026
A strong dispatch center is not built in policy manuals. It is built in every day habits, communication and leadership.
Exceptional service isn’t an option it’s the standard at South Summit Dispatch Center.
Please take a moment to thank Dispatcher Miller and Officer Branham!
Officer Involvement in Scam Interdiction
Good day Sir,
My name is Brian Mason, I am a constable and organized crime investigator with Edmonton Police Service in Edmonton Alberta, Canada. Currently I work as the coordinator for a joint operation with US Secret Service called Operation Maple Star. In this effort we work with a network of ethical hackers that feed us live in progress intelligence information on scams in progress.
To date we have stopped over $48 Million in losses confirmed, though the actual amount is likely much higher. Earlier today I obtained intelligence information that a citizen in your jurisdiction was on their way to a bitcoin machine to deposit funds as part of a scam. In this case we only had 10 minutes notice on the ETA of the victim, no victim info, only the address of the bitcoin machine they were headed to. By the time I was able to phone your dispatch center that was down to 7 minutes.
The next portion of this intercept was, in my experience sir, no less than remarkable and is a true testament to the quality of your officers and dispatchers. With that short time your dispatcher, Amanda, took the intelligence seriously and sent it out urgently. This was pivotal due to the nature of the intelligence that we encounter. She was thorough, fast and incredibly efficient.
The responding officer, Officer Austin Branhan, not only took the call seriously as well, but attended quickly and with incredible professionalism. Attending he was unable to confirm the victim initially but was incredibly clever to leave information with the store attendant to watch for anyone going to the bitcoin machine and to contact police. Within minutes of him leaving the victim, still on with scammers and being urged into secrecy, approached again to deposit funds. Officer Branhan went back in, spoke with the victim and after a bit of effort due to the manipulation of the scammers, was able to convince the victim they were being scammed. This saved the victim from likely life altering loss as the scam center involved will push relentlessly until the victim had no funds left in their account.
Before contacting your agency, our quickest intercept was 8 minutes as I highlighted in a recent press release on this operation. Now that title of the fastest and most professional intercept in our entire operation’s history goes to your agency and the members you have. Total possible intercept time to intercept the victim, 6 minutes. I know sir that often many times the job can be thankless, in this case I felt it necessary to highlight some amazing work by your officers.
Should you like any additional information from me please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you for your time.
Best regards,
Brian
Cst Brian Mason Reg. #4085
Virtual Investigations Section
Edmonton Police Service
