By Trend News Line 2024-04-10 08:31:03.
A shocking incident has come to light in Weymouth, Massachusetts, involving a former police officer, Justin Chappell, who has been federally charged for using excessive force during an arrest. Chappell, 44, was caught on camera punching a handcuffed man more than a dozen times, leading to his decertification as a police officer. The incident took place on July 2, 2022, and was captured on body-worn police cameras, which Weymouth officers started wearing in the summer of 2021.
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**Decertification and Charges**
Chappell has been charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, which means depriving someone of their rights while wielding power provided by a government entity. This serious charge led to his decertification by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, making him ineligible to work as a police officer in the state. In a 7-minute video of the incident, Chappell can be seen repeatedly punching the handcuffed man, identified as Donald McAdam, after he allegedly spat on officers.
**Resignation and Investigation**
Chappell resigned from the Weymouth Police Department in 2022 after learning that Police Chief Richard Fuller planned to fire him due to the excessive force used during the arrest. Chief Fuller took action based on the footage captured on the body-worn cameras, marking the first time an officer was fired for such reasons. The internal affairs investigation concluded with Fuller recommending Chappell’s decertification, leading to the subsequent legal proceedings.
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**History of Unprofessional Conduct**
Internal affairs reports from the Weymouth Police Department revealed that Chappell had two previous incidents of unprofessional conduct. In January 2022, he was off duty and intoxicated when he got into an altercation at a convenience store in Stoughton, leading to his placement in protective custody by Stoughton police. A month later, in February 2022, Chappell punched a person in the head during an arrest, which was cited in the decision to decertify him.
**The Fallout and Legal Proceedings**
The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission conducted a thorough investigation into Chappell’s misconduct, eventually rendering a decision in January 2024 to decertify him. The commission’s findings stated that Chappell’s conduct rendered him unfit for duty as a police officer and dangerous to the public. Despite being notified of the investigation and decision, Chappell did not respond or object to the commission’s ruling.
**Conclusion**
The case of Justin Chappell serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies. The use of body-worn cameras has played a crucial role in highlighting instances of misconduct and ensuring that officers are held responsible for their actions. The decertification of Chappell sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated, and steps will be taken to maintain the integrity and trust in the police force..
Former Weymouth cop detainee punching
State decertifies former Weymouth cop.
