Man beaten after refusing to let go of police officer’s groin

A Park Ridge police officer acted within reason when he beat a suspect who grabbed his groin and refused to let go, police commanders said. Frank Slowik, 44, of Westmont was arrested early Dec. 15 outside Dominick’s, 1900 S. Cumberland Ave., said Park Ridge Police Lt. Duane Mellema. Officers were called to the store at 3:20 a.m. for a report of a possible shoplifter and encountered a man, later identified as Slowik, running from a store employee.

Mellema said one of the police officers ran after Slowik, grabbed him and wrestled him to the ground. As the officers tried to restrain him, Slowik grabbed a second officer’s groin and refused to let go, Mellema said. The officer then struck him several times in the face with his hand in an effort to get him to release his grip, Mellema said. Slowik eventually let go, and was arrested and taken to Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago for treatment.



A booking photo from the Cook County Jail shows bruises under both of his eyes and on the right side of his face. Park Ridge Police Cmdr. David Keller said the department investigates whenever an officer uses force against a suspect. Keller said he believes the force used during Slowik’s arrest was acceptable and necessary. “The force, under the circumstances, was reasonable in order to carry out the arrest,” he said.

The officer was treated at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge and later released, Mellema said. Investigators searching Slowik’s vehicle found about $1,000 worth of stolen seafood and meat, police said. Slowik has been charged with retail theft, aggravated battery to a police officer and resisting arrest. Mellema said Slowik has a history of arrests for retail theft. He is being held in the jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.