The governors of MA and New Hampshire are calling for a full investigation into the use of force against a suspect who was seen on video being beaten by officers.
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A man was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon after leading police on a high-speed chase that ended in Nashua, New Hampshire. A one-hour chase, with speeds sometimes exceeding 100 mph, wound through several New England towns before spike strips slowed the vehicle, setting up the confrontation in Nashua, police said. Simone was wanted on several warrants, including assault and battery with a unsafe weapon, larceny over $250, and failure to stop for police, according to MA state police.
The review will only be of actions by Massachusetts State Police, not New Hampshire officers, the agency added.
“The pursuit, like all pursuits that involve Massachusetts State Police, will be reviewed by the Department’s Pursuit Committee”, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement.
Col. Robert Quinn, director of the New Hampshire state police, said a trooper involved in the “disturbing” events has been relieved of duty and is not being paid.
The pursuit began when Simone evaded police in Holden about 4 p.m., and continued through Lancaster, Leominster, Littleton, Westford, Chelmsford, Tyngsboro, and into New Hampshire.
Many turns and some 50 miles later, Simone raced over the Tyngsborough Bridge, and soon after, the state line. That’s when a group of officers rushed him and pummeled him repeatedly.
The chase went through several towns before ending in Nashua, New Hampshire.
The case involves several state and local police agencies, and the investigation will take place on a number of fronts.
New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan released a statement saying: “The footage from yesterday raises serious concerns, and I have been in contact with the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Safety”.
“The Massachusetts State Police expect and demand all department members to act at all times with integrity, honor, and adherence to the law”, the statement said. He will face charges on the underlying warrants and also new charges relating to the auto chase on Wednesday, according to Procopio.
The internal police reviews are separate from the New Hampshire attorney general’s criminal investigation. Footage showed officers punching Simone, who was wanted on warrants for assault and larceny, after he appeared to surrender.
Hudson police are also expected to file charges against Simone for the part of the chase that went through that town.
“It is important and appropriate that the attorney general’s office has opened an investigation into the incident”. At one point he slammed into a metal post, but it was only when the cops cornered him in a dead-end street that the chase ended.
In the video, several officers are seen approaching Simone’s stopped truck.
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Massachusetts State Police spokesman David Procopio said the extradition process to return him to Massachusetts will likely begin in Nashua.
