Cops Learn Lesson From 15 Year Old
A video showing a heated encounter between Park City Police officers and a local family has sparked intense online debate, racking up millions of views and raising serious questions about police conduct and constitutional rights.
The incident began on Sunday, September 29, when officers responded to a call near Spaulding Court and Racquet Club Drive. According to police reports, the original complaint involved two teens riding a gas-powered bicycle and a verbal dispute between a local man, Michael Franchek, and a neighbor. One of the witnesses also claimed that Franchek was carrying a firearm as he walked away from the argument.
Officers went to Franchek’s home to follow up. When they asked him to come outside to speak with them, Franchek instead asked for their names and badge numbers. After the officers identified themselves, Franchek reportedly refused to answer questions and began retreating into his house. Concerned that he might be armed, officers entered his home and attempted to detain him.
The situation escalated quickly. Franchek’s teenage son began recording the encounter, capturing over 40 minutes of video. In the footage, Franchek is seen being handcuffed and arrested, while his son confronts officers about what he believes was an illegal entry and wrongful arrest.
The video has since gone viral, drawing criticism and support from various sides. Franchek and his son both argue that officers violated their civil rights by entering their home without a warrant and using force unnecessarily. Their videos have been widely shared across platforms, with many viewers expressing concern about potential police misconduct.
According to a probable cause statement, the arresting officer said that Franchek was verbally aggressive during the encounter. He allegedly used profane language, threatened legal action, and mocked the officer with a stereotyped accent. The officer claimed that Franchek repeatedly stated he could have physically resisted arrest but chose not to.
Franchek was taken to the Summit County Jail and charged with multiple offenses, including failure to comply with a police command, disorderly conduct, and refusal to identify himself. He has since filed a formal complaint against the officer involved.
Following an investigation, Officer Rodrigues faced 5 misdemeanor charges, Sergeant Thor faced 3, and another Officer faced 1. The State City issued a statement mandating the entire police department to undergo training on amendment 1 laws, indicating violations had occurred. Despite the opportunity to correct their behavior, Officer Rodrigues and Sergeant Thor were terminated for their failure to do so.
In response, Park City Police Captain Phil Kirk released a statement emphasizing that the department has a structured complaint review process. “Our department follows a formal process for handling complaints, which is designed to protect all involved parties,” Kirk said. “We are committed to transparency and accountability as we assess the actions of our officers.”
Because the case involves questions of legality and potential rights violations, Park City’s legal team referred it to the Salt Lake City Prosecutor’s Office for an independent review. Officials noted that this is standard protocol when there’s a potential conflict of interest or public concern over how a case is handled
This incident has reignited discussions about how police handle disputes, the limits of their authority when entering private homes, and the broader issue of protecting constitutional rights during law enforcement interactions. Legal experts suggest that the outcome of this case could set a precedent for future complaints involving potential wrongful arrest and unlawful search.
For those interested in reviewing the full footage of the incident, the video is available on the KPCW website.
