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Police Misconduct

Police & Fire
No Jail Time For Ex-Mass. Officer Who Punched Handcuffed Man 13 Times: Feds No Jail Time For Ex-Mass. Officer Who Punched Handcuffed Man 13 Times: Feds
No Jail Time For Ex-Mass. Officer Who Punched Handcuffed Man 13 Times: Feds A former Weymouth police officer who was caught on video camera beating a handcuffed suspect will not serve any jail time, federal authorities said.  Justin Chappell, 43, was sentenced to two years of supervised release, with the first six months to be spent under house arrest, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said on Tuesday, July 16. He must also complete 40 hours of community service each year of his supervised release.  Chappell pleaded guilty in May to a single count of deprivation of rights under color of law, the prosecutor said.  The assault happened on July 2,…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Trooper Who Led Karen Read Investigation Suspended Without Pay: State Police Trooper Who Led Karen Read Investigation Suspended Without Pay: State Police
Trooper Who Led Karen Read Investigation Suspended Without Pay: State Police State Trooper Michael Proctor has been suspended without pay for the duration of a duty hearing to determine if he mishandled the investigation into Karen Read, a Mansfield woman accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, officials said.  Proctor, who led the state's investigation into Read, was removed from his position with the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office hours after her eight-week trial ended in a hung jury last week.  Proctor admitted on the witness stand that he sent "unprofessional" texts to his coworkers and friends, in which he called Read "retar…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Ex-MBTA Officer Tried To Cover Up 2018 Assault Of Suspect: Feds Ex-MBTA Officer Tried To Cover Up 2018 Assault Of Suspect: Feds
Ex-mbta Officer Tried To Cover Up 2018 Assault Of Suspect: Feds A former MBTA transit police sergeant was arrested and charged this week with lying and falsifying documents to cover up an assault from another officer in a Boston-area train station in 2018, authorities said.  David S. Finnerty, 47, of Rutland, was indicted Thursday, Aug. 31, on two counts of filing a false report, according to the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each offense, per sentencing guidelines.  Investigators said an officer only identified as D.B. physically assaulted a man without justification at the Ashmont MBTA Station …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Methuen Cop Busted On Child Porn Charges: Police Methuen Cop Busted On Child Porn Charges: Police
Methuen Cop Busted On Child Porn Charges: Police An Essex County cop was arrested and placed on leave after he was caught with disturbing images of child pornography, officials say.  Matthew Bistany, a Methuen police officer, was arrested at his Methuen home on Tuesday, Aug. 8, and charged with child pornography, according to the Massachusetts State Police. State troopers and Methuen police searched his home after an investigation found that the 51-year-old cop had uploaded child porn from a computer at his home, authorities said.   The investigation began after the Massachusetts State Police Internet Crimes Against C…

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by Morgan Gonzales
Police & Fire
Hull Cop On Leave After Video Circulates Of Attack on 72-Year-Old Hull Cop On Leave After Video Circulates Of Attack on 72-Year-Old
Hull Cop On Leave After Video Circulates Of Attack on 72-Year-Old A Middlesex County police department took one of its sergeants off the streets after a video surfaced of him allegedly beating an elderly man.   Hull Police Sgt. Scott Saunders was placed on paid administrative leave following an incident in Pembroke on July 24, according to the Hull Police Department on Thursday. He was off duty when the alleged incident occurred.  A purported video of the alleged assault seems to show Saunders sitting on the 72-year-old man's chest on the side of the road and attacking his face. His daughter stands nearby and watches. It's unclear what sparked the alterc…

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by Morgan Gonzales
Police & Fire
Ex-Weymouth Officer Facing Decertification For Punching Suspect Several Times On Camera Ex-Weymouth Officer Facing Decertification For Punching Suspect Several Times On Camera
Ex-Weymouth Officer Facing Decertification For Punching Suspect Several Times On Camera A former officer with the Weymouth Police Department might never serve again after gruesome footage caught him assaulting a suspect during an arrest last year, leading his superiors to determine that he used excessive force multiple times while serving with the department.   Justin Chappell is facing decertification for “a pattern of unprofessional conduct” during his time with the Weymouth Police Department, according to a letter from the Massachusetts POST Commission dated March 28, 2023, obtained by Daily Voice. The first cited incident occurred on January 23, 2022, where it is alleged …

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by David Cifarelli
News
Hopkinton Deputy Police Chief Charged With Repeatedly Raping 15-Year-Old: DA Hopkinton Deputy Police Chief Charged With Repeatedly Raping 15-Year-Old: DA
Hopkinton Deputy Police Chief Charged With Repeatedly Raping 15-Year-Old: DA A former deputy police chief is facing charges for allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old student multiple times while working as a school resource officer, authorities say.  John “Jay” Porter, a former Hopkinton deputy chief of police, was indicted on three charges of rape of a child on Monday, May 1, according to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan.  Porter allegedly assaulted a 15-year-old student while working for the Town of Hopkinton school system as a school resource officer between 2004 and 2005.  Deputy Chief Porter marked 30 years of service on Thursday, July 14. His …

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by Morgan Gonzales
News
Racial Slurs Allegedly Shouted By Hingham Police Officer At Stoneham Driver: DA Racial Slurs Allegedly Shouted By Hingham Police Officer At Stoneham Driver: DA
Racial Slurs Allegedly Shouted By Hingham Police Officer At Stoneham Driver: DA A Hingham Police Officer is accused of potentially using racial slurs and threatening a driver with a weapon in Stoneham at the end of last year, officials said.  Joel Salituri, age 43, of Stoneham, was arraigned on the charge of assault with a dangerous weapon in Woburn District Court on Wednesday, April 26, the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office reports.  The charge stems from an incident that happened on December 26, 2022, in which Salituri allegedly showed a gun during an argument with a man on Main Street in Stoneham. Salituri reportedly followed the man's car down …

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
Officers Cleared In Shooting Outside Brigham and Women’s Hospital In 2020: DA Officers Cleared In Shooting Outside Brigham and Women’s Hospital In 2020: DA
Officers Cleared In Shooting Outside Brigham and Women’s Hospital In 2020: DA A week after the third anniversary of the police killing of Juston Root, the Suffolk District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, Feb. 13, that he would not seek charges against the officers who first shot the 41-year-old.  District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement that a special assistant district attorney had completed his investigation into the Feb. 7, 2020, shooting outside of Brigham and Women's Hospital and found that no charges are warranted against the two Boston police officers who responded.  “These cases are always difficult and always tragic, both for the families o…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Worcester, Springfield, Holyoke Officers Among 15 Suspended By State Commission Worcester, Springfield, Holyoke Officers Among 15 Suspended By State Commission
Worcester, Springfield, Holyoke Officers Among 15 Suspended By State Commission A Worcester officer accused of taking money for overtime he didn't work and a Springfield cop charged with using his stun gun on a pregnant woman were among 15 law enforcement officials suspended by the state's Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) commission.  The commission announced the suspensions on Tuesday, Jan 3, as it reviews the backgrounds and training of the state's law enforcement officers. This is a first for the state as the POST Commission was founded following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, according to NBC Boston.&nb…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Everett Police Detective Suspended For Drunkenly Slamming Car Into Parked SUV Everett Police Detective Suspended For Drunkenly Slamming Car Into Parked SUV
Everett Police Detective Suspended For Drunkenly Slamming Car Into Parked SUV An Everett police officer was arrested for operating under the influence, according to arrest logs.  Off-duty Everett police detective Sarah Nawoichik rammed an unmarked police cruiser into a parked SUV after 11:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19, according to CBS Boston. Nawoichik, 37, crashed into the SUV hard enough to push it into another car, that subsequently jumped a curb. All three cars were damaged in the incident, but no one was injured. While at the scene, Nawoichik told officers she was on her way back from dinner in Revere in the take-home cruiser, CBS reports. Despite admit…

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by Morgan Gonzales
News
Natick Police Sgt Accused Of Inappropriately Touching Female Dispatcher Resigns Natick Police Sgt Accused Of Inappropriately Touching Female Dispatcher Resigns
Natick Police Sgt Accused Of Inappropriately Touching Female Dispatcher Resigns A Natick Police Sergeant has resigned after pleading guilty to three counts of indecent assault and battery in connection with inappropriately touching a 28-year-old female dispatcher this week. Natick accepted the resignation of Sgt. James Quilty on Thursday, Dec. 15, the town said in statement with links to supporting documents detailing an investigation into Quilty's behavior.   Quilty was previously placed on paid administrative leave on July 7, 2020 and eventually suspended without pay on January 5, 2022, Natick's statement said.  Quilt was faci…

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
Former Peabody Police Sergeant Found Guilty Of Violating Restraining Order Former Peabody Police Sergeant Found Guilty Of Violating Restraining Order
Former Peabody Police Sergeant Found Guilty Of Violating Restraining Order A former Sergeant with the Peabody Police Department was found guilty of violating his restraining order, among other charges, by a Salem District Court jury this week.  Brendan O'Brien was found guilty of domestic assault and battery, strangulation and violation of a restraining order on Monday, Dec. 12, according to Peabody Police on Facebook. O'Brien was placed on administrative leave following several allegations from a female victim in August 2019, police said. Shortly after he was charged with several crimes and had the restraining order placed against him. O'Brien resigned from …

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
Fall River Police Officer Charged With Beating Handcuffed Suspect With Baton: Feds Fall River Police Officer Charged With Beating Handcuffed Suspect With Baton: Feds
Fall River Police Officer Charged With Beating Handcuffed Suspect With Baton: Feds Federal authorities arrested a Fall River police officer on Wednesday, Nov. 30, and charged him with hitting an in-custody suspect with a baton, officials said.  Nicholas M. Hoar, 35, is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of false reports for the alleged 2020 assault, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He potentially faces 50 years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines if convicted, officials added.  The prosecutor alleges that Hoar hit a man across the forehead with his baton on Dec. 21, 2020, and then omitted that informat…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
DETAILS: Boston Police Officer Arrested, Suspended For Domestic Violence DETAILS: Boston Police Officer Arrested, Suspended For Domestic Violence
Details: Boston Police Officer Arrested, Suspended For Domestic Violence A Boston Police Officer has been formally charged after she was arrested for a domestic violence incident over the weekend, authorities said. Officer Roselyn LaCroix was arrested for destruction of personal property and threats following an incident with a family member around 2:41 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30, Boston Police report.  Officers responded to a Dorchester home where a victim told them that she was woken up by LaCroix breaking furniture, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office reports.  The victim said that LaCroix then went upstairs, broke down their bedroom door an…

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
Woburn Officer Resigns After Department Investigates Him For Alleged White Nationalist Ties Woburn Officer Resigns After Department Investigates Him For Alleged White Nationalist Ties
Woburn Officer Resigns After Department Investigates Him For Alleged White Nationalist Ties John Donnelly, the police officer accused of helping plan the Unite The Right rally in 2017, has received from the Woburn Police Department, officials announced Monday evening, Oct. 17.  Chief Robert F. Rufo Jr. said Donnelly handed in his letter of resignation, effective at 5 p.m.  Woburn police leaders had placed Donnelly on administrative leave last week and opened an internal affairs investigation into news reports that allegedly linked him to the planning of the Charlottesville, Va., rally where a woman died after a white nationalist drove his car into a crowd of protestors.  Behind-…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Ex-Stoughton Police Officers Had 'Disturbing' Relationships With Woman Until Her Death Ex-Stoughton Police Officers Had 'Disturbing' Relationships With Woman Until Her Death
Ex-Stoughton Police Officers Had 'Disturbing' Relationships With Woman Until Her Death The Stoughton Police Department said three former officers had inappropriate relations with a young girl who later killed herself while pregnant with one of the officer's child.  Sandra Birchmore, 23, was found dead inside her Canton apartment on February 4, 2021. Stoughton Police launched an internal investigation the next day to determine if any misconduct was carried out by officers. What unfolded was a “deeply disturbing pattern of behavior," according to Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara.  "Our investigation discovered that Matthew Farwell exploited Miss. Birchmore, a young woman,…

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by David Cifarelli
News
Brockton Family Seeking Justice For 1-Year-Old Dog Fatally Shot By Police Brockton Family Seeking Justice For 1-Year-Old Dog Fatally Shot By Police
Brockton Family Seeking Justice For 1-Year-Old Dog Fatally Shot By Police An investigation is underway after a Brockton Police officer shot a 1-year-old puppy in the head and killed her last week, and the family is demanding answers.  Angela Cordero said her dog Leia was "unjustly shot and killed" by Officer David Santos around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, Cordero said on Facebook.  This beautiful little girl was unjustly shot and killed by Brockton police officer David Santos around 10:30 a.m.... Posted by Angela Cordero on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 Santos claimed to be responding to as traffic violation on Cordero's street when Leia ran toward him. …

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
2 Acton Police Officers Accused Of Inappropriate Conduct Resign From Department 2 Acton Police Officers Accused Of Inappropriate Conduct Resign From Department
2 Acton Police Officers Accused Of Inappropriate Conduct Resign From Department Two Acton police officers who were on leave for inappropriate conduct turned in their badges and resigned this week, city officials said.  Tyler Russell and Michael Eracleo had been on leave since March when a former Acton-Boxborough Regional High School student approached police leaders about separate incidents they had when the men worked as student resource officers there, said Town Manager John Mangiaratti and Police Chief Richard Burrows. Though neither were charged in this incident, the investigation that followed led to other reported infractions and disciplinary action…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Cambridge Police Officer Suspended For Drunkenly Smashing Into Motorcyclists Cambridge Police Officer Suspended For Drunkenly Smashing Into Motorcyclists
Cambridge Police Officer Suspended For Drunkenly Smashing Into Motorcyclists A Cambridge Police officer is suspended after he was arrested for apparently driving drunk and causing a multi-vehicle crash, authorities said. Michael Daniliuk has worked with the department as Youth Resource Officer for the past 24 years, Cambridge Police said. Daniliuk was off-duty at the time of the crash, which occurred at the intersection of Broadway and Columbia Street around midnight on Monday, Aug. 29, police said.  Initial investigation revealed Daniliuk slammed into three motorcyclists who were stopped at a red light on Broadway. Two of them, along with Daniliuk, w…

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
Harvard Grad Student, 32, Died In Police Custody While On Indonesian Honeymoon Harvard Grad Student, 32, Died In Police Custody While On Indonesian Honeymoon
Harvard Grad Student, 32, Died In Police Custody While On Indonesian Honeymoon A 32-year-old transgender Harvard student died earlier this month from alleged police misconduct while on a honeymoon in Indonesia, his family said.  Rodrigo Ventocilla Ventosilla, a Peruvian-born Kennedy School graduate student, was arrested on a drug possession charge when he landed in Bali on Aug, 6, the Harvard Crimson reported. He was dead five days later. His spouse, Sebastián Marallano, and family say the outspoken trans-activist's death is the result of "racial discrimination and transphobia," and they demand a thorough investigation and independent autopsy.  Rodrigo Ventocilla …

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by Josh Lanier
News
Suffolk DA Convenes Grand Jury For MBTA Officer Accused Of Pulling Gun In Road Rage Incident Suffolk DA Convenes Grand Jury For MBTA Officer Accused Of Pulling Gun In Road Rage Incident
Suffolk DA Convenes Grand Jury For MBTA Officer Accused Of Pulling Gun In Road Rage Incident Days after a report questioned the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office's handling of an off-duty MBTA officer accused of pulling a gun in a traffic dispute, the prosecutor announced Wednesday, Aug. 10, that he convened a grand jury to investigate the incident. Though, Kevin Hayden said pressure from the media had nothing to do with his decision.  “Our office inherited this investigation, along with many others, from the prior administration," Hayden said in a press release. "... Our announcement today comes amid questions about this investigation and the path it took toward a determina…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Brookline Police Chief Placed On Leave Amid Alleged Policy Violations Brookline Police Chief Placed On Leave Amid Alleged Policy Violations
Brookline Police Chief Placed On Leave Amid Alleged Policy Violations Brookline's Police Chief Ashley Gonzalez has been placed on paid administrative leave for allegedly violating several policies, the Town said in a statement.  “Last week, we were made aware of multiple allegations that Chief Gonzalez violated the Town’s Policy Against Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Retaliation," the statement read.  “The Town has a strict zero-tolerance policy against discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation committed by or against its employees," the Town continued. "We are committed to supporting the investigation, which will determine the facts,…

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by David Cifarelli
News
Arlington Police Chasing White Suspect Sued For Arresting Black Man: Report Arlington Police Chasing White Suspect Sued For Arresting Black Man: Report
Arlington Police Chasing White Suspect Sued For Arresting Black Man: Report Arlington police say they did not racially profile a black man who officers stopped last year when they were pursuing a white man. The police department released a statement on Friday, Aug. 5, disputing the claims made in a civil-rights lawsuit filed against the office.  "The investigation found no evidence to support a claim of racial profiling or excessive use of force," the statement said. "The investigator did find that officers violated some department policies, and as a result of the outside investigation, three officers were disciplined, one officer and the sergeant received mandator…

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by Josh Lanier