Posted at: 11/17/2009 9:54 PM | KSAX.com
By: Becky Nahm & Mark Albert
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MPD Officer to Contest Alleged Brutality Suspension

A Minneapolis police officer plans to contest her unpaid suspension, which was handed down by the chief in connection with a case of alleged police brutality.

Sherry Appledorn, a 16-year department veteran, was caught on a parking garage surveillance tape repeatedly kicking a man suspected of breaking into cars.

The video, recorded on Dec. 12, 2008 in downtown Minneapolis, was first seen on 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS in September.

Chief Tim Dolan ordered Appledorn to serve a 20-hour, unpaid suspension.

Lt. Bob Kroll with the Minneapolis Police Federation confirmed that Appledorn served the suspension last week. However, he said the federation plans to file a grievance to contest the suspension.

The Federation said that the department's internal affairs investigator did not recommend discipline and the use of force expert found Appledorn's actions were "reasonable."

The St. Paul City Attorney's office also declined to file charges against Applehorn or her partner Joseph Will. The City Attorney office found "...the officers were acting within the bounds of their authorized use of force."

The City Attorney also noted that the suspect, Nicholas Kastner, "...never complained of any assault, mistreatment, or injury."

Kastner has filed a federal lawsuit alleging police brutality, excessive force and a cover-up.

Kastner was a passenger in a car driven by Brian McCarthy on Dec. 12, 2008. Police believed the pair were breaking into cars parked in a downtown garage.

The video of the incident began when a car driven by McCarthy rammed a squad car. McCarthy ran away but his passenger, Kastner, got out and laid down-apparently giving up after being shot by police.

Appledorn thought her rookie partner was dead, according to people who know her. The video showed Appledorn standing over Kastner. She's then seen stomping and kicking him.

Appledorn also used a Taser on Kastner twice.

Appledorn works the nightshift in the 1st precinct.