Canton police officer fired for kicking suspect in the chest during arrest

A Canton police officer has been terminated after an internal investigation found he used excessive force during an arrest last month, city officials announced Monday.

Detective Brandon Momirov was dismissed from the department following a pre-disciplinary hearing on Sept. 13. Mayor William V. Sherer II confirmed the decision in a prepared statement, citing the officer’s conduct during the Aug. 24 incident as unacceptable.

“Today, Detective Brandon Momirov’s employment with the Canton Police Department was terminated,” Sherer said. “The behavior seen in the video we all watched was unacceptable. While I respect our officers who put their lives on the line each day to protect this community, that respect comes with a commitment to the utmost level of professionalism regardless of the circumstances. I support the decision made by Director of Public Safety Andrea Perry and will continue to entrust the vision of Police Chief John Gabbard as we forge a path to keep Canton moving forward.”

The incident in question occurred in the 1800 block of Morris Ave NE, where officers were responding to a reported altercation involving 10 to 15 people. According to a police report, the scene escalated as officers arrived, prompting multiple individuals to flee. During the subsequent confrontations, Momirov was captured on video kicking a suspect, identified as Jaemiier McElroy, 21, in the chest while McElroy was on his knees.

Public Safety Director Andrea Perry stated that Momirov violated several departmental rules regarding the use of force, including failing to employ de-escalation tactics.

“Detective Momirov’s actions were completely outside the realm of his training and the policies of the city of Canton,” Perry wrote in her decision. “While the scene was chaotic, officers are trained to utilize restraint and control. He did not personally provide verbal commands prior to kicking the suspect to gain compliance.”

Momirov is the second Canton police officer to be fired since June for violating department policies. Earlier this year, Patrolman Nicholas Casto was dismissed after deploying his police dog on a man who was already lying face down during an arrest.

Police Chief John Gabbard emphasized the importance of accountability within the department.

“Our officers frequently face stressful, dangerous situations and confrontations with armed suspects,” Gabbard said. “Their dedication to the community has resulted in exceptional reductions in violence, especially gun violence, over the past two years. However, how we do our job is as important as the results of our efforts. Officers using force outside the parameters of our training, policy, and principles will be held accountable.”