NASHUA, N.H. (AP) – New Hampshire’s governor is calling for a full investigation into the use of force by police after video surfaced of officers appearing to pummel a suspect who had led them on a high-speed chase from Massachusetts to New Hampshire.
News helicopter video of the police pursuit Wednesday showed Richard Simone, of Worcester, Massachusetts, stepping slowly out of his truck, kneeling and putting his hands on the ground before several officers rushed him.
“The Governor is aware of the situation and we’ve reached out to the Departments of Safety and Justice,” said Ricki Eshman, a spokeswoman for New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan. “All New Hampshire public safety officials are held to the highest standards, and the Governor expects this will be full investigated,” the statement said.
While the driver was taken into custody in New Hampshire, Massachusetts State Police were also involved in the pursuit and plan to review the apprehension of the suspect, “to determine whether the level of force deployed during the arrest was appropriate,” said David Procopio, a state police spokesman.
The chase began when Simone, 50, refused to stop for local police in Holden, Massachusetts. He was wanted on multiple warrants for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, larceny and failure to stop for police, Procopio said in a statement.