Prosecutors on Monday charged a Colorado police officer with second-degree assault after allegedly putting a man in an illegal chokehold during an arson arrest earlier this month.
Greeley police officer Kenneth Amick, 48, has been placed on unpaid leave as a result of the police department's investigation into the alleged June 7 assault on Matthew Wilson, 36, police said in a statement.
At the time, Wilson complained that Amick, who was wanted on a warrant, was using excessive force by allegedly putting him in a chokehold and asked for a supervisor, police said. Two officers also later reported what they believed to be excessive force.
In June 2020, Colorado lawmakers banned police officers from using chokeholds and also required police officers to intervene if they believe excessive force is being used as part of a sweeping police reform bill passed in the middle of protests over the killing of George Floyd.
Greeley police officer Kenneth Amick, 48, has been placed on unpaid leave as a result of the police department's investigation into the alleged June 7 assault on Matthew Wilson, 36, police said in a statement
Amick, who has worked for Greeley police for 15 years, was removed from patrol duty while police conducted their investigation and the department later recommended that prosecutors charge him with assault, leading him to be placed on leave, police said.
On Monday, the office of 19th Judicial District Attorney Michael J. Rourke charged Amick with strangulation, a form of second-degree assault.
Court records do not indicate if Amick has a lawyer yet and there was no answer at two telephone numbers listed for him.
On June 7, officers responded to the City Center North building after someone had activated a panic alarm. When they arrived, an employee said that a man was making threats to burn it down.
Officers contacted Wilson at nearby City Hall, learned there was a warrant for his arrest and Amick put him in handcuffs in the lobby, police said.
As Wilson was being escorted outside, he became agitated and complained that his wrists were hurting from the handcuffs.
At the time of his arrest, Matthew Wilson complained that Amick, who was wanted on a warrant, was using excessive force by allegedly putting him in a chokehold and asked for a supervisor, police said
Amick then 'suddenly placed Wilson into a chokehold,' police said. 'After several seconds, Wilson showed ill effects from this hold while being placed on the ground. A second officer attempted to intervene during this initial encounter.'
Wilson was then released from the chokehold and continued to walk to a patrol car.
But Wilson, who was still handcuffed, tried to grab Amick's hand, which prompted Amick to strike Wilson's legs with his knees before placing Wilson on the ground to try to calm him down, police said. Officers then helped Wilson back up and put him in a patrol car.
Two police officers raised their concerns about the arrest and said they believed Amick used excessive force. Investigators then referred the case to the district attorney's office after finding there was probably cause for charges.
In Colorado, felonies such as the one Amick faces are punishable by between two and six years in prison as well as fines up to $500,000.
Amick, who is currently on unpaid administrative while he waits for his first court hearing on August 24, joined the Greeley Police Department in 2006.
He was awarded a medal of valor in January 2020, the highest decoration for bravery exhibited by a public safety officer, reported the Greeley Tribune.
