Edmonton police officers sanctioned for kicking suspect during arrest

Jul 22, 2023

Mickasko led Edmonton police and RCMP on a chase through north Edmonton and Strathcona County that lasted about one hour and ended after his truck tires were slashed by a spike belt

Edmonton officers who kicked a suspect during an arrest that resulted in multiple facial fractures have been sanctioned with community service, a discipline hearing has determined.

Ronnie James Mickasko suffered injuries including a fractured right orbital bone, facial trauma, nerve damage, and facial lacerations after police used force while arresting him on July 25, 2017.

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The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team announced in 2018 following an investigation that none of the officers would be charged, despite a recommendation to do so, after a Crown prosecutor who reviewed the evidence declined to prosecute.

Edmonton police conducted a professional standards branch investigation and, on June 16, 2022, Det. William Thomas, Sgt. Vincent Boe and Const. Scott Henning were cited with one count each of unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority and a single count of neglect of duty. All three officers were members of the tactical unit at the time.

According to the decision, it is agreed the facial injuries Mickasko suffered were not a result of any of the three officers kicking him.

Mickasko led Edmonton police and RCMP on a chase through north Edmonton and Strathcona County that lasted about one hour and ended after his truck tires were slashed by a spike belt. Firearms and ammunition were later found in the vehicle.

According to an agreed statement of facts, Mickasko exited the vehicle and lay down on the ground. An RCMP canine officer exited his vehicle and ran towards Mickasko, kicking him "forcefully" in the right side of the head.

Holding his pistol, Thomas approached to help with the arrest. At this time, seven officers were surrounding Mickasko and two were clearing his truck. Thomas then kicked Mickasko three times in his midsection and once in the left bicep.

Boe, also a member of the tactical team, was carrying an Arwen (Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield) during the arrest. He ran around the back of his tactical vehicle and, upon immediately approaching Mickasko who was laying on the ground, kicked toward his head followed by two to three knee or hand strikes. At the time, about five officers were surrounding Mickasko.

Henning saw numerous officers attempting to place Mickasko in handcuffs and believed he heard him yelling at police and struggling as officers attempted to gain control of his arms. At this time, about seven officers were around Mickasko.

Henning approached the officers and Mickasko and kicked him in the right side of the head, near the neck area. Mickasko was under control at the time of the kick.

All three officers pleaded guilty to unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority and the second count was withdrawn.

The presiding officer, retired RCMP chief superintendent Fred Kamins, accepted a joint submission and imposed the suggested penalty of reprimand and community service of 35 hours for each officer, noting it was "at the very low end of the options for sanction."

"That said, being at the low end does not mean it offends the public interest," Kamins wrote. "I find that the proposed sanction is both reasonable and does not offend the public interest."

The officers’ community service has already been completed. According to the decision, Henning provided his service to the Edmonton Humane Society while Boe split his time between Habitat for Humanity and a hospital association. It was not noted where Thomas completed his community service.

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