NH, MA Police Officers Suspended After Beating Captured on Video

NASHUA, NH — Two police officers were suspended Thursday after they were captured on video repeatedly punching a suspect who appeared to surrender following a wild, hours-long chase through Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The officers, a New Hampshire State Trooper and a Massachusetts State Trooper, were placed on unpaid leave. Their names were not released.

Their superior officers called their actions "disturbing."

Video from media helicopters show the New Hampshire trooper (in green) and the Massachusetts trooper (in powder blue) repeatedly punching the suspect as he appears to surrender, with his hands up and his body lowered to the ground.

Said NH State Police Col. Robert Quinn, "The Division of State Police does not condone the unjustified use of force and it will not be tolerated."

Mass. State Police Col. Richard McKeon added, "I ... ask the public to recognize that the alleged actions of any one member do not reflect on the rest of the department, the vast majority of whom conduct themselves with honor and courage, and who routinely risk their own safety to protect the public they serve."

The suspect, Richard Simone, 50, of Worcester, Mass., faces numerous charges.

The chase started an hour away from Nashua in Holden, Mass., according to police. Simone fled because he has several warrants, police said.

New Hampshire and Massachusetts authorities said they opened investigations into the beating—along with the pursuit, which lasted about two hours.

At one point, Simone crashed his tan 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck into a utility pole in Hudson, N.H., but was able to drive on before giving up in Nashua, police said. He agreed in court Thursday to be extradited back to Massachusetts.

The incident led to scathing statement from New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan.

"The footage ... raises serious concerns," Hassan said. "It is important and appropriate that the Attorney General's office has opened an investigation into the incident.

"We must treat this incident with the utmost seriousness without disparaging all of the hard-working police officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe."

Subscribe to Patch news alerts for community-specific newsletters and breaking news

Previous

• Nashua Police Chase Suspect Arraigned
• Excessive Force? Criminal Probe Launched in Nashua Chase Suspect's Violent Arrest
• Police Pummel Suspect to End Nashua Chase