GRAND FORKS (AP) - A jury has convicted a Grand Forks police officer of misdemeanor reckless endangerment.

David O'Toole was one of two officers accused of forcing a man to stand in dangerously cold weather for 20 minutes last February with no coat, hat or gloves. Jason Hickman, who testified during O'Toole's trial, said he suffered frostbite to his ears during the traffic stop.

O'Toole's attorney, Michael Geiermann, said his client was following orders and did not commit a crime.

Prosecutor Jason McCarthy said O'Toole put Hickman at risk when the wind chill factor was reported at around 42 below zero.

State crime bureau Agent Arnie Rummel said O'Toole and another officer, Eric Straus, exchanged computer messages in which O'Toole said, "That's right, make him freeze." He said O'Toole later said the comment was a joke.