ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Two Alaska State Troopers who pepper-sprayed, beat, stunned and used a police dog on a man in a case of mistaken identity have
This image provided by the Third Judicial District of the State of Alaska shows an image taken from a body camera video of an altercation between Alaska State Troopers and Ben Tikka on May 24, 2024, in Kenai Peninsula community of Soldotna, Alaska. Two Alaska state troopers who pepper-sprayed, beat, stunned and used a police dog on Tikka in a case of mistaken identity have been charged with assault, authorities said Thursday, Aug. 15.
During a news conference Thursday announcing the charges, authorities said they would not release body-worn camera video that captured the arrest until after the criminal case is resolved. But James Cockrell, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Public Safety, said he had never seen anything like it in his 33 years with the department.Woodruff’s attorney, Clint Campion, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
The case began with a call about possible illegal camping in a vehicle at a dog park in Soldotna. The troopers had been advised that the SUV was associated with Garrett Tikka, but they failed to confirm who was inside it before telling the occupant he was wanted on an outstanding warrant and ordering him out, the charges say.
As Tikka, lying face-down, placed his hands behind his back, he was repeatedly bitten by the police dog, named Olex, which had also bitten its handler, Woodruff, minutes earlier, the documents say. Tikka tried to move away from the dog and Woodruff commanded it to continue biting; the dog did so, attacking Tikka even as Tikka, covered in blood, complied with commands to put his hands up and begged, “Please stop the dog. Please stop the dog.
According to charging papers, Miller told investigators that no force would have been used if Tikka had simply exited the vehicle and complied with commands. When asked if the force used by officers in this situation was reasonable, he replied: “From my understanding, yes.”
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