Public Complaint No. 1743534954 - 988232266

Complaint Subject: Officer Elisa Kapala, Edina Police Department, Badge #160 Allegation: Police Misconduct – False Statements Date of Complaint: April 1, 2025 To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report an incident of police misconduct involving Officer Elisa Kapala, Badge #160, of the Edina Police Department. Specifically, Officer Kapala is alleged to have deliberately made false or misleading statements in her official capacity as a law enforcement officer. False statements by a police officer constitute a serious form of misconduct that undermines the credibility of the police department and the criminal justice system as a whole, potentially leading to wrongful accusations or convictions based on fabricated or misleading evidence. The incident in question occurred on June 21, 2024, at approximately 2:22 PM on Interlachen Blvd., during which Officer Kapala arrested an individual for 5th-degree assault under Minnesota Statute 609.224. She allegedly provided false or misleading statements to justify the arrest, claiming that the individual had engaged in intimidation, despite there being no factual or evidentiary basis for this assertion.. These false statements were documented in a citation and arrest and appear to have been made with intent to misrepresent the circumstances, violating the standards of honesty and integrity required of law enforcement officers. This misconduct resulted in an unjust arrest and potential legal consequences based on fabricated grounds. The Edina Police Department and the broader criminal justice system depend on the truthfulness of officers to uphold public trust and ensure justice. Officer Kapala’s alleged false statements on June 21, 2024, if substantiated, represent a breach of that trust and necessitate immediate investigation and accountability. This type of misconduct not only jeopardizes the fairness of the specific incident but also damages the reputation of the department as a whole. I respectfully request a thorough investigation into this matter, including a review of any available evidence such as body camera footage, dashcam recordings, the arrest report, witness statements, or other documentation related to the 5th-degree assault charge. Should these allegations be confirmed, I urge the Edina Police Department to impose appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination, and to document this misconduct for future legal proceedings where Officer Kapala’s credibility may be at issue, such as through inclusion on a Brady List. Additionally, the arrest and any resulting charges should be reviewed to address potential injustices caused by these false statements. Please provide confirmation of receipt of this complaint and updates on the status of the investigation. I am available to provide additional information or evidence as needed to support this matter.