A body cam video of Deputy Bruce Hanson using a taser on a suspect in Warroad was received today. Hanson has been charged with eight criminal counts on separate incidents.
According to the police report of this incident on September 7, 2022, suspect Kelly Cleven was arrested for using threats of violence and assault on a family member.
Officers from the Roseau Sheriff’s Department and Warroad Police Department arrived on scene and were told by the family member that Cleven had hit him with a cane and left the residence.
Sheriff Steve Gust then called Cleven at his residence after law enforcement arrived and talked him into coming outside to the end of the driveway. At that point Cleven became passively non compliant saying he wouldn't go into custody. Deputy Bruce Hanson then told Cleven he was under arrest and tazed him without apparently de-escalating the situation.
Sheriff Gust stated about the incident that he’s upset the video’s got released and he fully backs Deputy Hanson’s use of force. He continued by accusing Deputy Kelly Gustafson and Warroad PD Officer Travis Olafson, who were part of the SRT team, by saying, “Kelly and Travis wanted to bust down the doors so they need to use some common sense. Is it reasonable to bust down the door and use lethal force? Common sense is to try call him and use less lethal. I’m glad it went that way. Be willing to say something with your name on it and don’t be such a chickensh*t. What’s reasonable force? Nobody got hurt so it was reasonable.”
Gust admitted that the County Attorney had issues with the incident. He said, “The County Attorney said to let him run but he had a court order. They’re getting this stuff out of a cracker jack box.”
County Attorney, Kristy Kjos responded, “We are aware of the video. This employee is on administrative leave. We cannot offer further comment, thanks.”
Warroad PD Officer Travis Olafson said on the record, “we got activated to respond out to his
