In March 2024, a Maine State Police trooper pinned a handcuffed man to the ground and repeatedly punched him in the face while arresting him in rural York County. The incident was captured on cruiser cameras, providing a visual record that our investigation found conflicted with how responding officers described the event in their written reports.
The episode raises questions about the agency’s use of force policy and its process for reviewing complaints: Instead of disciplining the officer, the agency cleared him of any wrongdoing and promoted him. The determination fit into a broader perfect record in the state’s largest police force. The agency reviewed nearly three dozen complaints about use of force in the past decade. None were found to be excessive.
The series was co-reported with Maine Focus, the investigative team of the Bangor Daily News.
All Stories:
October ‘radio hour’ explores Monitor-BDN investigation of Justin Savage arrest
Lawyer calls for criminal investigation into troopers who beat a man in handcuffs
Janet Mills quiet on Maine Monitor/BDN investigation into violent state police arrest
Beating of handcuffed man casts doubt on Maine State Police’s perfect record of clearing officers
Maine police described a combative suspect trying to escape. Video shows otherwise.
Watch the footage of Justin Savage’s arrest and read how police described it
A trooper repeatedly punched a handcuffed man in the face. The Maine State Police promoted him.
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