In an interview with Boston Public Radio on Wednesday, attorney general Maura Healey said her office will not be investigating a police chase that resulted in violence and the suspension of two state troopers.
“I think that all the right steps are being taken right now by all the right authorities on this,” Healey said. “Anytime there’s an allegation like this, you need to, and we do, take it very seriously.”
The high-speed chase led police from Holden, Mass. to New Hampshire. Helicopter footage of the hour-long chase captured at least two officers beating the driver, Richard Simone of Worcester, after he got out of the car. “I’ve seen the video, Healey said, “and it’s absolutely disturbing.”
New Hampshire attorney general Joseph Foster launched an independent criminal investigation, in cooperation with police departments from both states. According to Healey, the Massachusetts attorney general’s office will not be launching a similar review.
“We’ve been in close communication, the Massachusetts State Police and the New Hampshire attorney General’s office, everyone is cooperating, which is important,” Healey said. “The New Hampshire Attorney General will conduct the criminal investigation into conduct that occurred on New Hampshire soil, that’s appropriate, and all in Massachusetts and involved the state police are cooperating in that of course, and importantly, the state police here in Massachusetts are conducting the appropriate investigations that they conduct, and reviews that they conduct, in the normal course.”
Two reviews will be completed by the New Hampshire attorney general, the first to investigate whether or not policies and protocols were followed, and the second to review the conduct of the Massachusetts state trooper who was suspended without pay. “We await those reviews and investigations and those findings,” Healey said. “I think what’s important is that this be done thoroughly, expeditiously, and in a transparent way.”
According to Healey, if the investigation results in charges against the Massachusetts officer, they will not be prosecuted in Massachusetts. “[The New Hampshire attorney general’s office] are the only ones with criminal jurisdiction for an alleged criminal act that occurred on New Hampshire soil,” Healey said. “That is not something that a Massachusetts Attorney General can do—cross the border.”
To hear Attorney General Maura Healey’s full interview with Boston Public Radio, click on the audio link above.
