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Judge admonishes police who shot man for stabbing police dog

EDMONTON — A judge had harsh words for some Edmonton police officers who used excessive force on a man after he stabbed a police dog nearly four years ago.

EDMONTON — A judge had harsh words for some Edmonton police officers who used excessive force on a man after he stabbed a police dog nearly four years ago.

Kirk Steele was shot by police in a chase in July 2006.

Police said Steele confronted officers with a knife before climbing out of a window of a home under surveillance.

After a brief chase, officers unleashed a police dog on Steele, who stabbed the dog.

Officers then shot Steele, but Justice Eric Mackin said Thursday that police abused their authority when apprehending him.

Mackin threw out obstruction and weapon charges against Steele.

“It was one of the clearest of cases in which a stay is necessary in the interests of justice,” Mackin said.

The judge also condemned the officers for how they handled the situation.

“Firing a Glock pistol without warning seven times at a man armed with no more than a steak knife from distances of 20 feet or less is an unconscionable use of excessive and aggressive force in the circumstances.”

Steele was convicted of being unlawfully at large and will be sentenced for that charge at a later date.

He said he has had several surgeries and is in chronic pain.

The man’s lawyer hopes to take the case to the Law Enforcement Review Board, which has the ability to sanction police officer involved.