Minnesota’s two largest law enforcement organizations released a statement Tuesday evening condemning the “shockingly low bail” that was set for a man accused of violently attacking an Anoka County deputy.
Robert J. Kozicky, 41, is facing charges of first-degree burglary, third-degree assault, and fourth-degree assault of a peace officer. According to court and jail records, he was arrested on Nov. 7 and released on Nov. 9 after posting $10,000 bail.
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) and Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) said prosecutors request unconditional bail of $150,000 or conditional bail of $75,000. Instead, court records indicate that Judge Jennifer Peterson set Kozicky’s bail at $75,000 with no conditions or $10,000 with conditions.
“An officer followed training, did everything right, and was nearly killed,” said LELS Executive Director Jim Mortenson. “To see someone accused of violently slamming a deputy’s head into pavement and walk out on $10,000 bail is outrageous. It tells every officer in Minnesota that their safety is negotiable.”
According to the charges against Kozicky:
Anoka County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a home in Ham Lake on Nov. 6 on a report of a man attempting to enter the home by force.
The victim told law enforcement that he came home to find that a chair from his front porch was in the street while his neighbor, Kozicky, was walking down the street and speaking incoherently.
After the victim went into his home, Kozicky began banging on the front door and talking loudly. Kozicky then ripped off the exterior glass door and used it to hit the front door in an attempt to gain entry into the home. The victim was bracing himself against the front door to keep Kozicky out.
A deputy then arrived on scene and ordered Kozicky to get on the ground and place his hands behind his back. Kozicky initially complied but then stood up and charged at the deputy. The deputy deployed her Taser but it “failed to affect” Kozicky, who continued to rush at the deputy as she lost her footing and fell to the ground.
Kozicky then lifted the deputy off the ground and slammed her head first onto the concrete driveway. The deputy struggled to get to her feet and stumbled as she attempted to follow Kozicky.
Kozicky was pursued by another officer, tased again, and taken into custody behind the home.
The deputy who was assaulted said she was unable to remember what happened and was covered in blood from a head wound.
MPPOS and LELS said in their statement that Kozicky was wearing only long underwear, sweating profusely, and possibly under the influence of drugs during the incident. They said Kozicky repeatedly punched the deputy after she fell on the ground.
“This decision puts the public and peace officers at risk,” said MPPOA Interim Executive Director David Titus. “A violent attack on a deputy should not be treated like a minor offense. This bail amount simply doesn’t reflect the danger or brutality of what was involved in this incident.”
The deputy sustained a head laceration and possible concussion and is currently at home recovering and unable to work. The assault was captured on a squad car camera.
MPPOA and LELS are calling for a review of the bail decision and for stronger protections in cases involving violence against peace officers.
“We respect the courts — but respect does not mean silence,” Mortenson said. “A $10,000 release in a case like this is indefensible. Minnesota’s peace officers and the communities they protect deserve better.”
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
