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LEGAL NEWSLINE

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Sterling Heights officers face charges after K9 deployment during arrest

State AG
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Attorney General Dana Nessel | Official website

Two Sterling Heights police officers, James Sribniak and Jack Currie, have been charged with misconduct and felonious assault. The charges were announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel following an incident in February involving the pursuit of a Roseville man.

The charges stem from events on February 25, when Officers Sribniak and Currie pursued a domestic violence suspect who fled from a traffic stop. During the apprehension, while the suspect was on the ground after being tasered twice, Officer Currie allegedly encouraged Officer Sribniak to use his K9 unit to bite the suspect. The dog bit the suspect on his posterior right hip.

Attorney General Nessel stated, "K9 assistance can be a valuable tool for law enforcement but must be deployed with good judgment." She emphasized that K9 officers are trained in proper conduct and should not use dogs as punitive measures. "In this incident, deploying a K9 on a suspect already on the ground and well-surrounded by officers is not only horrific but illegal," she added.

The arraignment for Sribniak and Currie has yet to occur, and no future court dates have been scheduled.

Please note: For all criminal proceedings, a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.

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