Edmonton Police Watch

EDMONTON – An Edmonton constable who Tasered a man during an arrest outside a downtown bar has been found guilty on a disciplinary charge of unnecessary use of force.

Const. Andrew Hoglund been given a 35-hour suspension without pay and the promotion to sergeant he earned in April 2007 is in jeopardy.

A police disciplinary hearing Thursday found that Hoglund was out of line when he fired his Taser at Robert Boik on the night of Sept. 4, 2004, when two other officers already had him under control.

“Const. Hoglund’s use of the Taser was not appropriate or necessary,” said Supt. Mark Logar, the presiding officer.

Logar noted that the other two officers did not ask for Hoglund’s help, nor did he ask them if they needed help to subdue Boik, who was involved in a brawl in the parking lot of the Globe Bar and Grill at Jasper Avenue and 109th Street.

“Const. Hoglund cannot justify his actions,” Logar said.

Hoglund had already pleaded guilty to failing to file a report on the incident.

Hoglund’s promotion was granted but put on hold for nearly two years pending the outcome of the hearing.

The Edmonton Police Service asked Logar to revoke the promotion as part of Hoglund’s punishment but Logar ruled that was out of his jurisdiction.

Staff Sgt. Bill Newton, who was acting as agent for Hoglund, said he doesn’t know what will happen to that promotion now. They will likely take it through a labour grievance process.

via Edmonton cop found guilty of unnecessary force.

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