Two Alaska State Troopers from the Kenai Peninsula are facing assault charges for allegedly using excessive force during an arrest. The charges include the use of a Taser and a police dog. These rare criminal charges were filed against them this week.
Trooper Jason Woodruff and Sgt. Joseph Miller allegedly removed a 38-year-old resident of Soldotna from a parked GMC Denali SUV at a Kenai park on May 24. They reportedly broke a rear window and used pepper spray on the individual inside the vehicle. These details were outlined in a charging document filed on Wednesday and signed by Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor.
According to the document, the man was subjected to a prolonged dog bite while he desperately pleaded for it to end, despite his efforts to follow commands. Miller allegedly used excessive force, employing a Taser, physical violence, and even stepping on the man’s head.
According to the charging document, the man suffered several injuries, including a fractured scapula, muscle lacerations including a torn triceps, and an open bite wound on his upper left arm.
According to state law officials, this case seems to be the first in Alaska where criminal charges have been filed against on-duty troopers for using excessive force.
Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell expressed his deep disgust on Thursday regarding the troopers’ conduct. He emphasized that in his extensive 33-year career at the department, he had never witnessed such appalling behavior.
“It’s difficult for me to comprehend the impact this has had on myself and my fellow troopers who proudly wear this uniform,” Cockrell expressed during a media briefing that was live-streamed on social media. “I want to make it absolutely clear that the behavior displayed by these two individuals is completely unacceptable to me, as it goes against our training and policy. I am well aware that it is also unacceptable to the Alaskans we are here to serve.”
According to Cockrell, Woodruff, 42, has dedicated 16 years to the department, while Miller, 49, has been a part of it for 14 years. Woodruff has experience as a K-9 officer in Soldotna, while Miller has served as a night-shift supervisor in the same location.
Cockrell mentioned that both troopers were removed from duty while the Alaska Bureau of Investigations initiated an inquiry into potential criminal behavior in early June. According to the spokesperson, they are currently on administrative leave while still remaining employed with the department. He mentioned that he didn’t have immediate information regarding the status of the leave, whether it was paid or unpaid.
On May 24, troopers arrived at a Kenai dog park in search of Garrett Tikka. Tikka was wanted on a $150 warrant for failing to serve a 10-day sentence due to driving with a revoked license, as stated in the filed charges. However, the individual they extracted from the vehicle happened to be Tikka’s cousin, Ben Tikka, who is 38 years old.
According to Cockrell, during the arrest, the troopers made assumptions about the identity of the person in the car instead of asking for confirmation.
He expressed the need for further inquiries before taking the action of breaking the window and removing him from his car.
A violent arrest was described, despite Ben Tikka’s efforts to comply.
According to Cockrell, after Tikka was pepper-sprayed by Miller and exited the vehicle, Miller proceeded to kick him. He then placed his foot on Tikka’s head and pushed his face into the shattered glass from the broken window. In addition, he used his Taser on multiple occasions during the incident, even briefly shocking another trooper at one point.
Woodruff commanded his dog, K-9 Olex, to attack Ben Tikka despite Tikka’s compliance with orders and pleas for mercy, as detailed in the charging document.
According to the charges, Woodruff allegedly ordered the dog to bite Tikka after being bitten by the dog himself. The dog allegedly ignored commands to cease biting, according to charges. Cockrell announced on Thursday that the dog is no longer in service.
Troopers initially arrested Ben Tikka on charges of fourth-degree assault, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct, but the district attorney’s office in Kenai dismissed those charges.
In a letter sent on Wednesday afternoon to Department of Public Safety employees, Cockrell expressed his concern that the force used by Miller and Woodruff went beyond department policy and crossed into criminal territory.
The troopers were charged with fourth-degree misdemeanor assault by the Office of Special Prosecutions on Wednesday.
During Thursday’s briefing, Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore stated that Tikka’s injuries did not meet the criteria for a felony offense.
An examination of the troopers’ use of force by the Alaska Bureau of Investigation commenced on June 6th. According to a release from the Soldotna Police Department, Ben Tikka was arrested on that day for driving without a valid license.
Cockrell mentioned that an incident was flagged by a K-9 commander who regularly reviews dog deployments. This raised concerns and caught the attention of high-ranking officials in the department. According to him, they alerted him to the matter and he concluded that a criminal investigation was necessary.
Both troopers are being charged with a fourth-degree misdemeanor assault. Miller and Woodruff are scheduled to make their first court appearance at a District Court arraignment next month in Kenai, as stated by the Alaska Department of Law.