The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) announced that two police officers from the canine unit have been charged with aggravated assault, for separate violations in 2019 and 2020.
Through a press release, the SPS The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) said formal complaints have been filed against the two police officers and investigations are ongoing.
So far, police officers Cole Miklautsch and Dennis Baron have been assigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
We must respect due process while continually taking advantage of every opportunity to support our members and review responses to calls for service when the use of force is required.Saskatoon Police Chief Troy Cooper said.
Two investigations following dog bite complaints
On July 12, 2019, police officer Cole Miklautsch, who had been assigned to the canine unit for 13 years, was involved in a case in which a man wanted for outstanding warrants failed to escape police officers.
Police said a dog was ordered to arrest the suspect to allow police to take him into custody after several police attempts to arrest him on a road. The injured man was later treated at the hospital for a dog bite.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle the suspect was driving, along with the license plate, was stolen, according to police. The man was charged with theft, evading police, possession of false identity documents and mischief.
The second incident involved police officer Dennis Baron, also assigned to the canine unit, who responded to a break-in at a fenced compound on June 1, 2020.
Police said Mr Baron was the first at the scene that night to see the man matching the description of a suspect fleeing. Police deployed a dog to arrest the suspect who did not comply. He was also taken to hospital for a dog bite.
The suspect was charged with burglary and possession of drugs
Saskatoon Police Chief Troy Cooper acknowledges that the announcement can be disturbing. We have a very well trained and professional dog unithe said, in a statement on Thursday.
At a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Mr Cooper said he was premature to make significant local changes in the canine program until criminal cases are resolved.
Source: Radio-Canada
