ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando Police officer is on administrative duty, pending an FDLE investigation into the use of force in the arrest of a burglary suspect.

  • FLDE investigating OPD Officer Dana Hiliker for use of force
  • Hiliker accused of using excessive force against Michael Von Bristol 
  • The officer has been placed on administrative leave

Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the use of force by an Orlando K-9 officer last week. He was caught on camera kicking suspect Michael Von Bristol as he was falling.

According to this sworn statement, K-9 Officer Dana Hiliker said he feared “the suspect was going to attack” him, so he “delivered a front kick” with his right leg. He struck Von Bristol in the face with his shin, according to Hiliker’s written statement.

The report states he “intended to strike the suspect in the mid-section of his stomach.”

At the time Von Bristol was believed to be the suspect in a residential burglary, and a witness pointed authorities to an Orlando auto shop where Bristol was allegedly hiding.

According to this sworn statement, Hiliker stated he was pulling on a door Von Bristol was hiding behind, when it suddenly swung open — quickly and violently — toward the officer, hitting him in the chest and head.

The report also states Von Bristol was screaming and Hiliker noticed his K-9 “appeared to be biting his right leg.”

Hiliker then states that due to the narrow hallway — while Von Bristol was cuffed on the ground — he grabbed Von Bristol by his hair and pulled his body about 6 to 12 inches away from his K-9.

Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon told Spectrum News the following statement in regards to the investigation:

"We're doing our due diligence to make sure that a third party evaluates the situation. We also have to be mindful that it is a process -- a process that is supposed to be fair and impartial. But also the fact that it is a process, a process that is intended to be fair and impartial ... the process that allows for the officer involved in the situation to recieve a fair and impartial process during the situation."

Von Bristol is facing a number of charges including residential burglary and battery on a law enforcement officer.