Brackenreid (Craig) is a married man of about forty, fond of the theatre and a good drink. He is the head of the stationhouse and does most of the interrogating, often forming opinions on a suspect because of personal impressions or their social standing. Quick to anger and tenacious, with a sarcastic sense of humour, he is better at traditional "coppering" and is very proud of his job, and what he feels is his duty to protect the city.

While he often disagrees with Murdoch's methods, he uses them when he feels they have merit, though he has little time for Crabtree. He is shown to care for Murdoch and know his mannerisms well enough to know when he is pining, and advises him to do something about it.

Throughout the second season Brackenreid is forced to hide his drinking habits from his wife who joined the temperance movement.

Brackenreid is from Yorkshire. Before becoming a policeman he served in the British Army.