08/20/2024
This may be the first time Alaska State Troopers have ever been charged with assault. Body Cams are a necessary tool to protect citizens from some forms of police misconduct. Without cameras, these troopers would have gotten away with viciously assaulting an innocent man and lying about it on their official police reports. They would have continued lying at this poor man’s trial, and Mr. Tikka would have been convicted of crimes he did not commit.
Commissioner Cockrell should be commended for accurately admitting what the Troopers did to this poor victim. AG Skidmore, however, has predictably applied a double standard as to what constitutes felony assault. Shoving a man’s face into broken glass while kicking and tasing him, breaking bones, and directing an uncontrollable attack dog to bite his face clearly would result in felony assault charges for anyone other than a police officer. A person commits assault in the third degree (class C felony) by: recklessly causing physical injury to another person with a dangerous instrument, recklessly placing another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury with a dangerous instrument. It is a class B felony to: intentionally cause physical injury to another person with a dangerous instrument, or recklessly cause serious physical injury to another person.
The Troopers' unprovoked attack broke Mr. Tikka’s scapula and his face was severely lacerated. It was intentional and it caused serious injury. It would be a felony for anyone other than a police officer. Mr. Skidmore's office has pursued felony charges for much less serious conduct.
We are not all treated equal under the law.
Joseph Miller Jr. and Jason Woodruff are each charged with fourth-degree assault. Both have served as troopers for more than a decade.
