Cop From Mahwah Accused Of Assault, Falsifying Police Report: Police

MAHWAH, NJ — A former Paterson police officer from Mahwah was indicted on multiple charges after he was accused of assaulting an individual who he had arrested and falsifying information on a police report, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes said.

Spencer Finch, 45, was indicted by a Passaic County grand jury on charges of second-degree official misconduct, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree tampering with public records or information, and third-degree perjury. If convicted of all charges, Finch could face up to 35 years in prison.

The charges, the prosecutor's office said, stem from an incident that occurred on May 26, 2021, when Finch, then a Paterson police officer, arrested an individual and charged him with terroristic threats and other offenses. Finch prepared and submitted an affidavit of probable cause, and a police report in which he wrote:

• The victim was "out of control."
• He told the victim he was under arrest for terroristic threats.
• He told the victim to put both hands behind his back.
• The victim took an aggressive stance and clenched his fist.
• Following a struggle, the victim was handcuffed "after several minutes."
• Once handcuffed and seated with his back against the wall, the victim tried to "head-butt" Finch

However, the office said, body camera video from another Paterson police officer and surveillance video from the apartment building where the incident occurred paints a different version of events, showing:

• The victim was in a hallway. He was "agitated, pacing and screaming" into a cellphone, but he maintained his distance from the officers.
• Finch "advanced" on the victim. He did not tell the victim he was under arrest nor did he tell him to put his hands behind his back.
• Finch delivered an overhead, open palmed strike to the victim's face.
• Following a struggle, the victim is brought to the ground, approximately 20 seconds later. Finch then struck the victim multiple times in the head with a large "C" or D" cell type flashlight, one that had previously been prohibited by Paterson police.
• The victim was handcuffed behind his back approximately 35 seconds after being initially struck by Finch. The victim was seated in the hallway with his back against the wall. Finch then kneed the victim in the face or chest "without justification," the office said.

Following Finch's arrest, the state filed a motion for pre-trial detention that was denied by the court. He was released on pre-trial supervision pending the outcome of the case.

An arraignment on the indictment will be scheduled by the Passaic County Superior Court.