SPPD: Officer Involved In K-9 Bite, Kicking Incident Terminated

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The St. Paul Police Department has released a statement clarifying the standing of two officers accused of kicking, allowing their K-9 to bite a man this summer.

The St. Paul Police Department said Officer Brian Ficcadenti has been placed on 30-day unpaid suspension. Meanwhile, Brett Palkowitsch is no longer employed with the department.

Officer Ficcadenti and Palkowitsch were caught on video assaulting a man in June.

The video, released Friday afternoon, shows a K-9 biting a man and an officer kicking him several times.

According to St. Paul police, the officers were responding to a call of a large knife fight taking place on 7th Street. The caller said a man involved had a gun.

The man in the video reportedly matched the description of the man with the gun.

On Friday, Axtell released the video and issued an apology.

"As St. Paul's police chief, I'm disappointed and upset by what the video shows," Axtell said. "As a person who deeply cares about our community and this department, I'm profoundly saddened."

At this time, the St. Paul Police Department said there is a complaint and open investigation.