Cash loan company allegedly paid detective for information

CBC News has learned the business that allegedly paid a Calgary police detective for information is Manila Capital Limited.

The company provides cash loans of up to $10,000. It has not returnedrequestsfor an interview from CBC.

Police say a financial institution approached Gerard Brand, a 21-year veteran of the Calgary police force, and paid him for the name, number and addresses of approximately 10 people.

Brand, 45, is charged with breach of trust and unauthorized use of a computerand has been suspended from duty with pay.

His next court appearance is May 22nd.

Brand had worked in the Economic Crimes Unit. He was recently moved to Human Resources.

Veteran detective has extensive police background

Brand is a high-profile detective who often commented to the media on police investigations.

He is a past director with the Calgary Police Association and, in that capacity, spoke publically about compensation negotiations with the City of Calgary.

In 1997, Brand shot a man after being held at gunpoint. The man survived. In 1998, he received a prestigious national bravery award for it.

Brand was also applauded for his bravery for helping save a little girl in a domestic dispute in 1998.The girl'sfather was shot by police officers, but not by Brand.

Brand came under scrutiny in 2004 after his gun was stolen out of his car while he was off duty at the Calgary Folk Festival the summer before.

Brand is also a registered mortgage broker.

According to the Real Estate Council of Alberta, he violated bylaws in the real estate act and was fined $4,000 for charging some clients an "up-front fee" to process their mortgage without going through his brokerage firm or notifying them.It was even before a lender was secured.

Detective volunteered, spoke to students

Brand has been described as a "devout Roman Catholic" and was part of the God Squad for years.

Hewas at the group's annual event just a few weeks ago.

The God Squad, which has received international attention, was originally formed by a group of Catholic officers and is known for its charity and volunteer work.

Today the group seems to focus on helping men be better fathers.

Brand has also travelled all over North America speaking to students about "the dangers of becoming entangled in criminal activity."