ARAPAHOE COUNTY —The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has charged former Englewood police officer Ryan Scott Vasina, 30, with multiple criminal offenses stemming from a traffic stop he conducted while on-duty last month.
On the evening of October 8, 2025, Vasina was on patrol near W. Union and S. Broadway when an Audi convertible drove past him while he was stationary. Vasina decided to follow the car, and while following the vehicle, Vasina observed the driver failing to stop at a stop sign. He activated his overhead lights to conduct a traffic stop.
The driver pulled over and rolled down his window. Officer Vasina asked the driver for his license, but there appeared to be a language barrier as the driver did not speak English well. The driver asked why he was stopped, but Vasina did not answer him. Vasina then called for a second patrol unit and asked the driver to turn off his car, which he did. Vasina then walked over to the driver’s side door, opened it, and ordered the driver out of the car.
Vasina then went on his radio and advised dispatch that the driver was fighting. However, a review of the evidence, including the officer’s body-worn camera, did not reveal any evidence of the driver fighting, such as punching, kicking, or striking the officer.
Vasina then pulled out his taser and told the driver in English that he is going to tase him. Approximately 1 second later, Vasina discharged his taser. Vasina then took the driver to the ground in a choke hold maneuver. The driver was arrested and booked into jail on multiple charges, which were dismissed after a thorough review by our office.
“It is evident from the video footage of the interaction between Officer Vasina and the driver that a language barrier existed, and that Vasina responded with visible frustration and anger,” Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley reiterated from the arrest warrant. “The initial nexus of the stop was a car driving by Vasina that changed lanes in a way that appeared ‘suspicious’ to Vasina. The penalty for failing to stop at a stop sign or even refusing to provide identification does not warrant a use of force response that Vasina engaged in, particularly where there was no active resistance, threatening language, furtive movements or attempts to flee or evade.”
The type of chokehold used during this traffic stop is forbidden by state law, and all chokeholds are prohibited under the Englewood Police Department’s Use of Force policy unless deadly force is authorized.
Following a review of this incident, Vasina is facing the following charges:
Second-Degree Assault (F4)
First-Degree Official Misconduct (M1)
Third-Degree Assault (M1)
“State law makes it clear that officers shall apply non-violent means, when possible, before resorting to the use of physical force,” District Attorney Amy Padden said. “The law also directs them to use only a degree of force consistent with the minimization of injury to others. The traffic violations that the driver was allegedly stopped for are not arrestable crimes and the driver did not resist, fight, or fail to comply with lawful orders before force was used against him.”
Vasina was officially terminated from the Englewood Police Department last month.
“The former officer’s conduct does not reflect the values of the Englewood Police Department,” Chief David Jackson said. “Our officers are expected to serve with professionalism, respect, and restraint. We are committed to transparency in addressing any incident that falls short of those expectations.”
Information contained in this release is publicly available in the Arrest Warrant. All public records can be requested and obtained via the Courts. As a reminder, all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
We thank the Englewood Police Department for its full cooperation throughout this investigation. We also acknowledge the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which proactively offered additional support and resources to ensure a thorough review of the facts. All future updates on this case with come from the 18th Judicial District Attorney's public information officer.
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