A trial is slated to begin today for the Crookston police officer charged with assault after allegedly kicking a man he placed under arrest.
Officer Donald Rasicot, Crookston, also is accused of throwing the man against a squad car, then to the ground.
Rasicot was charged with two counts of misconduct by a public officer or employee and one count of assault after Jason Knutson filed a complaint of excessive force in August 2006.
Knutson was arrested and transported Aug. 19, 2006, to the Polk County jail, according to the criminal complaint.
After the incident with the squad car, Knutson said he was dragged into a holding cell, where he struck and cut his head on a doorframe, the complaint stated. Two others who witnessed the incident said Rasicot apparently kicked the man's head while it rested against the holding cell door frame, according to the criminal complaint.
ADVERTISEMENT
Beltrami County Attorney Tim Faver is handling the case because the Polk County Attorney's office cited a possible conflict of interest.
Rasicot was an officer with the Crookston Police Department for about 2½ years before the complaint was filed. He was suspended with pay, according to city officials.
Reach Nadeau at (701) 780-118 or snadeau@gfherald.com .
